Poland: President vetoes EC OTC. Is pharmacist prescription the only way out?
April 2024. On March 29, Polish President Andrzej Duda refused to sign the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law that proposed making emergency contraception pills (ECPs) available without a prescription for individuals above 15 years old (read here).
In efforts to find alternative ways to make ECPs more accessible, on April 3rd, the Ministry of Health submitted a draft regulation for public consultation. This regulation proposes to enab le pharmacists to issue a pharmaceutical prescription following a consultation. Read more on Polks Agecja Prasow website.
Background: On February 22, the lower house of parliament (the Sejm) had passed an amendment to the Pharmaceutical Law, which proposed making emergency contraception pills (ECPs) containing ulipristal acetate available without a prescription for individuals above 15 years old. The Senate adopted the law without amendments on March 6, and it was sent to the President on March 8. The President then had 21 days to sign it, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal. According to the president, the legislation breached a constitutional clause on the protection of children’s health.
