Poland’s Ministry of Health is reviewing its free drug program for seniors and others, citing billions of złoty in annual costs and potential inefficiencies.
Program Costs Under Scrutiny
The Ministry of Health is initiating a comprehensive review of the free drug program, which currently costs the state over 9 billion złoty annually. The review aims to optimize costs, raising questions about potential changes to access for seniors aged 65 and over.
The scale of financing for drug refunds is steadily increasing, necessitating continuous monitoring. Expenditure on free drugs has risen from approximately 2 billion złoty several years ago to over four times that amount today, due to an expanded eligible population and a wider range of available medications.
Political Debate Erupts Over Potential Changes
Janusz Cieszyński, a member of the Law and Justice party, suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ministry of Health intends to limit seniors’ access to free medications. He cited a letter from a deputy health minister to the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication (AOTMiT) requesting an analysis of potential list modifications.
Cieszyński emphasized the need for changes to the “List S” (the list of subsidized drugs) but argued that Polish-made drugs and all existing active ingredients, even those with “symbolic” prices, should remain on the list.
Ministry Denies Restrictions, Cites Efficiency Review
Deputy Minister Katarzyna Kacperczyk has been accused of attempting to deprive seniors of free medications, based on the aforementioned letter to AOTMiT requesting options for removing items from the 65+ list where patient co-payments are minimal.
The Ministry of Health responded on X, stating that the review focuses solely on assessing the efficiency of spending and preparing potential changes, not on removing benefits from patients. They claim to have increased funding from 3.4 billion złoty in 2023 to 9.11 billion złoty in 2025.
Program Expansion and Current Scope
The program initially covered individuals over 75 years of age and has since been expanded to include seniors aged 65+, children, youth, pregnant women, and postpartum women. The free drug list for those 65+ currently includes almost all reimbursed medications, significantly impacting the public budget.
Potential Modifications Under Consideration
The AOTMiT analysis, commissioned by the ministry, encompasses all active substances on the reimbursement lists. The Ministry aims to assess various aspects, including the possibility of ending coverage for expensive generic alternatives.
The current system provides unlimited benefits, meaning the state covers the cost of every drug prescribed. Combined with a growing number of eligible individuals and a broad list of covered medications, this leads to a rapid increase in expenditure.
Ministry Reassures Public, Emphasizes Analytical Nature of Review
The Ministry of Health assures seniors that the current actions are analytical and preparatory, aimed at better managing public funds while maintaining patient safety and access to effective therapies. Final decisions regarding potential changes will be made after the completion of the analytical work.