Even if President Andrzej Duda vetoes the bill, the morning-after abortion pill, PO Day, is planned for introduction starting May 1. Izabela Leszczyna, the health minister, told Polsat News that it would be available by pharmaceutical prescription and that a regulation is ready. Asked about the so‑called magic wand, she suggested that its success came when the prime minister engaged Brussels and asserted action.
Leszczyna stated that she would bypass any presidential objection to making the pill available in the morning after a medical visit. She indicated a contingency plan that would allow access to the pill without a prescription for individuals over 15 if the president vetoed the bill. The president has publicly supported prescription access, while suggesting that for younger girls the decision should involve a parent.
She urged the president to consider Polish women and girls and to avoid blocking the process, noting that the pill is not a dangerous hormonal product as some have claimed. As noted, PO Day is slated to start on May 1, and the regulation governs pharmacist procedures for this medication.
The amendment to the pharmaceutical law, which would allow ulipristal acetate, a hormonal contraceptive, for people over 15, was approved by the Senate without amendments on March 6. The law has been sent to the president, who holds a 21‑day window to sign, veto, or refer it to the Constitutional Court.
READ ALSO: The president’s stance on the morning-after pill: he would not sign a law that imposes unsafe rules for children
READ ALSO: Leszczyna’s statements regarding the morning-after pill: a plan B exists if the president does not sign, enabling access without a prescription
The government is not drawing up an abortion law
Leszczyna clarified that the government is not preparing a liberalization of abortion rules. The prime minister has indicated that if consensus cannot be reached within the coalition, the government will refrain from tabling proposals that lack broad agreement.
The Civic Platform MP noted that rules are being developed to define contracts with medical entities providing healthcare services. The draft would include a provision that if a clinic holds a contract with the National Health Fund for gynecological and obstetric care, it would not be allowed to refuse terminations that are permitted by Polish law.
While commenting on health insurance premiums, Leszczyna offered limited details. She praised the forthcoming in vitro program, which is set to begin on June 1 and will create a list of hospitals where perinatal anesthesia will routinely be available to women.
The myth of the magic wand
Leszczyna was questioned about remarks referencing a so‑called magic wand capable of regulating Poland’s affairs, including KPO funds. She attributed the unlocking of substantial European funds to the credibility of Donald Tusk, describing his stance as a catalyst that helped move the process forward. Bodnar was mentioned as following the rule of law path, which gained acceptance from the European Commission.
Leszczyna referenced pre‑election pledges about rapid release of KPO funds and noted online footage critiquing the repeated use of the magic wand argument. She acknowledged that immediate, sweeping changes are not feasible even when there is political will.
It should be noted that the European Commission has given only a preliminary, positive assessment of Poland’s first Reconstruction Fund application, covering 6.3 billion euros. The funds are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
READ ALSO: Pressure on doctors over abortion decisions and related legal support
Source: wPolityce