The draft amendment to the Reimbursement Act is an important step by the Health Ministry to improve the availability of medicines for patients and improve the operation of the pharmaceutical market in Poland. Entrepreneurs producing drugs in the country appreciate the increasing quality of cooperation with the Health Ministry, which encourages the development of domestic production.
National Drug Manufacturers participate in public consultations on amendments to the reimbursement law
Published May 29, 2025 09:33
Fot. Jacek Sielski
The bill to amend the Act on Reimbursement of Medicines, Foodstuffs for Special Nutritional Purposes and Medical Devices and Certain Other Acts (UD187), as part of the deregulation trend, effectively eliminates regulations that previously constituted barriers to the effective functioning of the drug market in Poland - such as the flawed supply volume algorithm or the requirement to supply medicines to a designated ten wholesalers. It also expands the availability of therapies, including by making biological drugs available to patients not only in hospitals, but also in clinics, closer to the patient's place of residence.
- The best solutions can be worked out in cooperation. The Ministry of Health is proving that it is ready for dialogue with manufacturers, who know the challenges of drug production best," stresses Krzysztof Kopeć, president of the National Drug Manufacturers.
The health ministry has scheduled a consultation meeting with the public on the law for June 2.
- We look forward with optimism to the meeting scheduled for June 2 at the Health Ministry on the amendment. We hope that in the course of further work on this project, mechanisms will be developed to even more effectively encourage the increase of drug production in Poland, in line with the declarations of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about supporting domestic production and "the end of the era of naive globalization." - Kopeć adds.
The Ministry of Health is aware that Poland's drug security requires independence from non-European supplies by, among other things, reducing price pressure on domestic drugs, but also creating effective incentives for those investing in pharmaceutical production in Poland. Previous mechanisms, while important, have not provided sufficient impetus to increase investment. Currently, under statutory provisions, patients pay 10% and 15% less for Polish medicines. There are 642 such drugs. That's why the National Drug Manufacturers are proposing ambitious changes - including a more significant reduction in patient spending on Polish drugs, and even full reimbursement for those manufactured in Poland from domestic ingredients.
- It is also important for doctors and pharmacists to be aware that they too can contribute to building our country's drug security. By offering Polish drugs to patients, they will not only reduce their expenses at the pharmacy, but also increase the investment potential of domestic manufacturers. Together with the Ministry of Health, patients, doctors and pharmacists, we can jointly ensure the safety of Poland and Europe," says Krzysztof Kopeć.
Source: PZPPF
