The health ministry is working toward a consensus on prescription limits, with Deputy Health Minister Maciej Miłkowski signaling that an agreement could be reached soon in the Sejm.
Starting July 3, caps will apply to how many patients a doctor may prescribe medicine for and to the total number of prescriptions a physician may issue.
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Within a ten-hour work period, a doctor can see up to 80 patients for whom prescriptions will be written, and the total number of prescriptions issued in that window cannot exceed 300. The Ministry of Health justifies these steps as a measure to curb misuses in the system.
In response to a question from Katarzyna Lubnauer of the KO party in the Sejm, the Secretary of State noted the need to limit prescription activity while arguing that the current approach risks discarding essential protections for patients and doctors alike.
Lubnauer criticized the move as an administrative restriction on prescribing that ignores fundamental legal principles and asked for the legal basis and the rationale behind these changes, especially given the lack of consultation with the medical community.
Deputy Minister Miłkowski stressed that the ministry has engaged in discussions with the appropriate medical authorities for some time. He also praised the Medical Ethics Committee for its February position on paid online prescriptions and dispensations, noting that it highlighted the potential misinterpretation of telemedicine rules when waivers and online prescriptions are offered on request for a fee.
The Medical Ethics Committee of the National Medical Council reviewed paid prescription and waiver services offered online, considering cases where a simple questionnaire and symptom suggestions were enough to obtain a document after payment, which raised concerns about the integrity of the process.
Professional responsibility
The committee’s stance indicates that doctors who issue prescriptions and waivers under such procedures may face professional liability for violations of the Code of Medical Ethics and related standards.
The ministry collaborated with the medical chamber and shared data on doctors who issued the most prescriptions, along with the geographic spread of their activity across Poland. Data were provided continuously, and the cooperation continues to evolve as efforts to curb irregularities ramp up.
To achieve consensus, a relatively liberal approach was pursued. The narrative contrasts with earlier norms where health insurance funds or the National Health Fund set a 15-minute patient visit standard, which faced criticism for its brevity. The new rules specify about seven and a half minutes per patient and require a health and safety break for the doctor.
80 patient visits per day equate to roughly seven and a half minutes per patient. The Medical Profession Act requires that a doctor provide care based on examination, including a physical check, a clinical interview, and an assessment of the patient.
Miłkowski explained that the 80-patient-per-day limit and the 300-prescription cap were adopted to address identified issues. He noted that, since July 3, the system has seen activity from about 311 potential cases and roughly 1,200 daily attempts by doctors seeking to exceed limits.
There are observed pathologies, and authorities are intent on eliminating them. The Medical Chamber and the Ministry of Health share the same objective, even if resources sometimes diverge. General practitioners have reported signals, and authorities are actively working toward a consensus that serves patient safety.
Regarding the legal basis for the limits, Miłkowski stressed that these systems exist to safeguard patients. Medications bring both benefits and potential side effects, and doctors must exercise due care when issuing prescriptions. The Code of Medical Ethics and the Medical Profession Act require proper examination of patients.
Overinterpretation
Reports about plans to roll back the 80-patient and 300-prescription limits within ten hours have been described as overinterpretations of the minister’s remarks. There are no such plans at this time, according to the Ministry of Health.
From July 3, the limits on patient numbers and prescribed volumes will be in effect. The ten-hour window allows up to 80 patient visits and a maximum of 300 prescriptions, a framework the ministry says helps prevent misuse.
Some outlets suggested that the ministry might abandon the 300-prescription-per-day cap, but official channels clarified that no changes are planned today. Authorities emphasized that the restrictions are designed to curb pathological behaviors related to prescribing and online waivers.
Officials said they are analyzing data from the system to ensure the measures work as intended, particularly for prescription machines. The ministry indicated it would adjust only when necessary, after thorough review of real-world outcomes.
In joint statements, the ministry and the Medical Chamber reaffirmed the aim to eliminate irregularities and improve the overall safety of prescribing practices. The doors remain open to dialogue as the issue remains under close scrutiny.
To summarize, authorities are pursuing a consensus on prescription limits and expect to finalize an agreement soon.
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Mon/PAP