Poland's 'Lex Szarlatan' patient protection law moves toward presidential signature

Patient organisations, including the J‑elita society, have signed an appeal to President Karol Nawrocki urging him to sign the amendment to the Patient Rights Act, popularly known as “Lex Szarlatan”. The draft law is intended to shield patients from pseudomedical practices, financial exploitation and misinformation, while preserving the freedom to use evidence‑based treatments.

The Polish Senate approved the amendment on 22 July with 62 votes in favour, six against and 17 abstentions. The Sejm will consider the Senate’s position at its next session (29‑31 July) before the parliamentary summer recess. If passed, the bill will go to the president’s desk; after his signature it will take effect three months after publication. The legislation introduces fines of up to 1 million zł for violations of collective patient rights and up to 100 thousand zł for non‑cooperation with the Patient Rights Ombudsman, who will also gain powers to issue public warnings and temporary orders.

Critics, such as MP Arkadiusz Tetela, argue that the law lacks a statutory definition of “current medical knowledge” and does not specify how that standard should be determined, raising concerns about potential bias and insufficient independent oversight of scientific recommendations.