Prescriptions for these drugs are only available after a doctor's visit. There is a project by the ministry

The Ministry of Health notes that prescriptions for narcotic drugs can currently be obtained without a medical interview or a “sham” interview, including through prescription platforms.

Therefore, the project assumes that prescriptions for fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, tapentadol and buprenorphine will be issued by a doctor after a mandatory personal examination of the patient.

Only a primary care physician will be able to issue a prescription for these medications via teleconsultation as a continuation of treatment (excluding night and holiday care).

There are 14 days to submit comments on the draft amendment to the regulation on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, category 1 precursors and preparations containing these drugs or substances (the draft was submitted for public consultation on Monday).

Minister of Health Isabela Leszczyna The restrictions on issuing prescriptions for the six mentioned substances were consulted with the Supreme Medical Chamber and consultants for psychiatry and palliative care.

Jakub Kosikowski, spokesman for the Supreme Medical Council, said on Tuesday that the project Ministry of Health is a temporary solution. He emphasized that the NRL is in favor of clarifying the standard for teleconsultation.

The Ministry of Health assessed the change as urgent, as it has a direct impact on public health protection. Therefore, the regulation is to enter into force seven days, not 14 days after publication. Prescriptions issued before the regulations enter into force are to remain valid.

At the end of June, the Ministry of Health presented data showing that the number of prescriptions for oxycodone, a strong opioid painkiller, is growing in Poland. In 2019, 171,000 prescriptions were written, in 2022 – 206,000, in 2023 – 230,000, and from January to May – 104,000 prescriptions.

The number of prescriptions for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid painkiller used in oncology, palliative medicine, and surgery, is falling. In 2019, doctors wrote 143,000 prescriptions for the drug, and from January to May 2024, 45,000.

The Ministry of Health data also shows that the role of prescription platforms in accessing medicines is growing. In 2023, there were over 2.8 million prescriptions, over a million patients using them and over a thousand doctors serving them.

In 2019, 583,000 prescriptions were issued, around 64,000 patients used the service, and 464 doctors served them. The medicines prescribed in this way last year had a value exceeding PLN 275 million. These were mainly non-reimbursable medicines.