Polish President Faces Pressure Over 'Lex Szarlatan' Medical Law

The Polish Association of Independent Doctors and Scientists has submitted a petition and an appeal to the President of Poland, asking him to refuse signing the law dubbed “lex szarlatan” – the amendment to the Patient Rights Act that would tighten regulation of alternative medical practices. The association urges the President to refer the bill to the Constitutional Tribunal for preventive review, citing concerns over the law’s impact on medical freedom and patient safety.

The controversial law, already passed by parliament, is intended to combat the offering of unverified therapies and the activities of individuals posing as medical specialists without proper qualifications. Government officials have described it as a measure to protect patients from pseudomedicine.

Prominent alternative‑medicine promoter Jerzy Zięba, who has built a large online following, met with officials in the President’s Chancellery, including Minister Sławomir Mazurek, to seek the President’s veto. Zięba described the meeting as calm and substantive. The petition supporting the appeal has gathered about 25,000 signatures, reflecting significant public and professional opposition to the legislation.