Poland Country Report and Recommendations to the Ministry of Social Affairs: Access to Opioid Medications in Europe (ATOME)

Poland is one of the countries with statistical evidence of inadequate morphine consumption per capita. In 2006, the adequacy of opioid analgesic consumption was 19% - based on a per capita consumption of 42.8 morphine equivalents (mEq) while 230 mg would have been adequate for treatment of all pain conditions[1]. Poland was selected as one of the countries to participate in the ATOME project due its low per capita consumption. Four years later, in 2010, the adequacy of opioid analgesic consumption had even decreased (both in absolute and in relative terms) – it was only 12%[2] (based on a per capita consumption of opioid analgesics of 35.76 morphine equivalents (mEq) while 232 mEq in mg per capita would have been adequate)[3]. This report presents a summary of the results of the situational analysis that has been undertaken with regard to opioid availability and accessibility in Poland. The results of the situational analysis are divided in two parts: the first part addresses legal and regulatory issues and the second part focuses on issues relating to policy. Both parts present the main barriers and recommendations for improving access to opioid medication in Poland.