Changes in pharmacy duty rules – will 24-hour pharmacies disappear?

The pharmacy on-call system in Poland has long been an important element of health care for patients, especially at night and on holidays.

However, recent changes in regulations raise many questions and doubts. Will 24-hour pharmacies disappear? What does this mean for patients and what benefits does it bring to the National Health Fund?

New rules for night and holiday shifts by pharmacies

New regulations regarding pharmacy duties have recently come into force. These changes introduce more stringent rules for night and holiday duties. Now pharmacies on duty during these periods must meet a number of requirements, such as having the appropriate equipment, staff and appropriate pharmaceuticals on site.

Another important change is the fact that pharmacies on duty at night and on holidays must be available continuously throughout the duration of the duty. This means that it will no longer be possible to close the pharmacy for a certain period of time while on duty, as was the case in some places.

What exactly will the National Health Fund pay for?

One of the main arguments for introducing these changes was the desire to reduce costs for the National Health Fund. Previously, pharmacies on duty at night and on holidays received additional funds from the National Health Fund. Now these funds will only be awarded if the pharmacy meets all new requirements and rules.

For patients, this means that they will be sure that the pharmacy on duty during these periods will be available and able to meet their pharmaceutical needs. However, it may also happen that some 24-hour pharmacies will go out of business if they are unable to meet the new requirements.

What do these changes mean for patients?

For patients, changes in pharmacy duty rules may bring both benefits and some difficulties. On the one hand, they will be sure that pharmacies on duty at night and on holidays will be more professional and better equipped. On the other hand, it may happen that some 24-hour pharmacies will disappear, which may limit the availability of pharmaceutical services in some regions.

Patients also need to be more aware of where the nearest on-duty pharmacy is, as not all pharmacies will be on duty during these periods. You can check this on a special website or using a mobile application that provides information about pharmacies on duty in a given area.

Where can I check which pharmacy is on duty?

To find out which pharmacy is on duty in your area, you can use several options. One of them is the National Health Fund website, which provides current information on this subject. You can also use special mobile applications that allow you to find the nearest pharmacy on duty in the area.

Your suggestions

It is important for patients to submit their suggestions and comments regarding changes in pharmacy shifts. They are the ones who will use these services and know best what their needs are. This may help further improve the pharmacy duty system and provide even better pharmaceutical care.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in changes in the rules of pharmacy duty and pharmaceutical care, we recommend reading other articles on this topic. You will learn more about new regulations and their impact on patients and the healthcare system.

The changes introduced in the rules of pharmacy duty are aimed at improving the quality of pharmaceutical care and minimizing costs for the National Health Fund. For patients, they mean greater certainty of access to pharmaceutical services at night and on holidays, but at the same time they may introduce some difficulties related to the availability of 24-hour pharmacies. It is important to be aware of these changes and use the tools available to check which pharmacy is on duty in your area.