Polish President Andrzej Duda has vetoed legislation that would have allowed access to the morning-after pill for individuals as young as 15 years old. The justification for the veto was based on child health protection standards, prompting the amendment to the law on pharmaceutical products to be returned to Parliament for reevaluation. In response to the anticipated veto, the government had already announced plans to enable pharmacists to prescribe the pill, bypassing the need for a legislative change. The Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, confirmed this decision two days before the president’s official announcement.
As of 2017, Poland only allowed access to emergency contraceptive methods with a medical prescription. The country has a strong Catholic tradition, and abortion is strictly limited to cases of rape or incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. This cultural and legal context has influenced discussions around access to contraception and reproductive health in Poland. However, despite these restrictions, there are ongoing debates about reproductive rights in the country.
The decision to veto legislation expanding access to the morning-after pill reflects these broader social considerations and ongoing debates about reproductive rights in Poland. While some may argue that it is important for individuals who wish to use emergency contraceptives to have easy access without needing a medical prescription, others may argue that it is important to prioritize child health protection standards over individual choices.
Despite these ongoing debates, it is clear that reproductive rights continue to be a contentious issue in Poland and other countries with strict abortion laws. As such, it is important for policymakers and healthcare professionals alike to carefully consider these issues and work towards finding solutions that balance individual rights with broader societal values and concerns.
