[REVISION HISTORY]

Poland pharmaceutical regulation and cost reforms

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-18 11:31 UTC → 2026-09-19 15:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By late August 2026, the Ministry of Health introduced measures to manage the National Health Fund deficit and drug security. To address rising costs, the Ministry planned to reduce the list of free medications for seniors aged 65 and older, potentially removing up to 1,500 items if manufacturers do not lower prices. Regarding advertising, the government continued drafting amendments to the Pharmaceutical Law to align with a CJEU ruling. In September 2026, the ‘Drug Policy’ framework was presented at the Karpacz Economic Forum. Experts at the forum advocated for expanded medical coverage and reimbursement for obesity treatments to mitigate rising healthcare costs. Proposals include making the KOS-BAR model—which provides comprehensive care including dietitians and psychologists—a permanent benefit and prioritizing pharmacological reimbursement for high-risk patients, potentially funded by sugar tax revenues. Following a June 2025 CJEU ruling, the Polish Sejm passed legislation lifting the total ban on pharmacy advertising. The new law permits advertising but imposes strict limitations, such as prohibiting the targeting of children or the use of celebrity/medical professional imagery to mislead consumers. Violations may result in fines of up to 1 million PLN. The Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) expressed concern, arguing that medicines are not standard consumer goods and that deregulation could harm public health. Effective October 1, 2026, a new reimbursement list will include 24 new therapies, including 13 oncological and 11 non-oncological treatments for rare diseases. Deputy Health Minister Katarzyna Kacperczyk stated that new negotiation instruments have already generated 400 million PLN to fund these therapies. She clarified that while some medications may leave the free senior list, cheaper equivalents remain available, asserting the goal is price optimization through competition rather than simple removal.

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