Poland considers cuts to free medication for seniors amid rising costs

Poland's National Health Fund (NFZ) is contemplating significant changes to its free medication program for seniors, driven by escalating costs that are outpacing patient growth. The program, initially launched for individuals over 75 and later expanded in 2023 to cover those aged 65 and above, has become a substantial financial burden on the public health budget.

Recent analyses reveal that the total cost of the program, which also includes free medicines for individuals under 18 and pregnant women, reached 3.7 billion Polish zloty last year. This represents a sharp increase from previous years, with expenditures rising from approximately 1.5 billion zloty in 2023 to 3 billion zloty in 2024. The number of free medication packages prescribed to seniors has also grown substantially, reaching 140.9 million units in 2025, while the average refund per prescription increased from 54.3 zloty in 2024 to 64.6 zloty in 2025.

Several factors contribute to the program's rising costs, according to Marek Tomków, president of the Supreme Pharmaceutical Council. These include the expansion of the eligible age group, a dramatic increase in the number of drugs covered, from a few hundred to around 3,700, and the ability for doctors across all specializations, including private practices, to issue these prescriptions. Furthermore, prescriptions can now be issued for up to a year's supply, allowing patients to obtain a four-month stock of medication at once. The NFZ is evaluating the program's effectiveness, particularly concerning the wide price disparities between generic and original drugs with similar therapeutic effects, which results in the fund covering the full cost of more expensive options.