Poland’s Ministry of Health has recently tightened regulations on medical cannabis prescriptions, now requiring patients to attend in-person consultations instead of relying on telemedicine.
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This change is designed to address concerns about abuse in the prescription system, but it also creates new challenges for patients who depend on cannabis-based therapies.
Why the policy changed
The crackdown comes after a review of the country’s e-prescription system. Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna noted that teleconsultations, especially for substances like opioids, had opened the door to potential misuse. Although cannabis wasn’t originally part of the new regulations, public feedback led to its inclusion on the list of drugs that now require in-person consultations.
Concerns about access and patient impact
While the Ministry aims to improve patient safety and ensure prescriptions are used responsibly, these new rules create significant obstacles for many patients. Those with chronic conditions who found telemedicine a convenient and discreet option now face the difficulty of booking in-person appointments. This is especially tough for patients with mobility issues or those living in remote areas where finding a specialist can be challenging.
The new regulations could unintentionally push some patients towards the black market. As getting legal prescriptions becomes more difficult, some may turn to unregulated products. This shift poses safety risks, as unregulated cannabis can vary in quality and potency, and it threatens to reverse the progress Poland has made in developing a legal medical cannabis system.
In summary, while the Ministry of Health's intentions focus on safety and reducing misuse, the stricter rules could end up limiting access to care and encouraging illegal trade, creating new risks for patients in need of reliable, regulated cannabis-based treatments.
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