At a glance
- Applies to medicines previously prescribed for you by a doctor – where this can be confirmed in your records.
- The legal basis is Article 15b of the Polish Act on the Professions of Nurse and Midwife (continuation of treatment).
- We don't renew psychotropic medicines, narcotic drugs or very potent substances.
- The nurse doesn't change your treatment and doesn't replace check-ups with your doctor.
What continuation of treatment means
Continuation of treatment means issuing a further prescription for a medicine you already take on a doctor's instructions. The law allows suitably qualified nurses and midwives to do this – after assessing the patient's condition, which can be done remotely.
There is one condition, but it is an important one: the doctor's earlier prescription must be documented. The easiest way to confirm it is the prescription history in your Internet Patient Account (IKP), or medical records from your doctor.
The nurse does not start new therapy or swap your medicine for a different one. If your treatment needs adjusting, you need to see a doctor.
Which medicines we renew most often
Continuation of treatment mainly concerns long-term conditions in which treatment is established and stable. Typical situations include:
- hormonal contraception,
- high blood pressure,
- underactive thyroid,
- diabetes and insulin resistance,
- high cholesterol,
- asthma – medicines taken regularly,
- allergies,
- gout,
- acid reflux,
- migraine,
- hair loss,
- menopause and hormone replacement therapy,
- benign prostate enlargement,
- urinary incontinence,
- psoriasis and atopic eczema.
This list gives examples only. Whether a prescription can be renewed is decided by the nurse after checking what the doctor prescribed and when.
What a nurse cannot renew
The law excludes the following from continuation of treatment by a nurse:
- narcotic drugs,
- psychotropic substances – including sleeping pills and sedatives in this group,
- medicines containing very potent substances.
We also won't renew a medicine if it can't be confirmed that a doctor prescribed it, or if so much time has passed since your last check-up that it would be safer to have another one.
What to prepare before the consultation
- the name of the medicine, the dose and how you take it – ideally from the packaging or a previous prescription,
- details of who prescribed the medicine and when,
- access to your Internet Patient Account (IKP) or records from your doctor,
- a list of the other medicines you take and your long-term conditions.
How it works
You fill in a form
You describe your symptoms and answer questions about your health, the medicines you take and your medical history. It takes a few minutes.
A nurse assesses your request
A nurse or midwife reads your answers and, if anything is missing, asks follow-up questions. It is the nurse or midwife who decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
You get an e-prescription or a clear answer
If a medicine is appropriate, you receive an e-prescription code that you can use at any pharmacy. If not, you'll find out why and what to do next.
When you need to see a doctor
Renewing a prescription online is no substitute for an appointment when your treatment needs to be assessed by a doctor. Book an appointment with a doctor if:
- you feel worse or have developed new symptoms,
- you suspect side effects from the medicine,
- you want to change your medicine or dose, or start new treatment,
- you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding,
- it has been a long time since your last check-up or since you had the tests you were advised to have,
- the medicine is a narcotic drug, a psychotropic medicine or a very potent substance,
- the prescription is for a child or anyone under 18.
In an emergency – severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion or loss of consciousness, rapidly worsening symptoms – call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (SOR). An online consultation is not an emergency service.
Frequently asked questions
Can a nurse renew a prescription issued by a doctor?
Yes. Article 15b of the Polish Act on the Professions of Nurse and Midwife allows suitably qualified nurses and midwives to issue prescriptions as a continuation of treatment prescribed by a doctor, with the exception of narcotic drugs, psychotropic medicines and very potent substances.
How will the nurse know that a doctor prescribed my medicine?
From your records – for example, the prescription history in your Internet Patient Account (IKP) or documents from your doctor. Without confirmation of the earlier prescription, a prescription will not be issued.
Can I ask for a different medicine from the one I take now?
No. Continuation of treatment applies to the medicine you already take. Changing the medicine or the dose is a decision for a doctor.
Do you renew sleeping pills or sedatives?
No. Psychotropic medicines and narcotic drugs are excluded from nurse prescribing.
Can I renew my contraceptive pill?
Yes, if it was previously prescribed by a doctor. You'll find the details on the contraception renewal page.
Will I definitely get a prescription?
There's no guarantee. The nurse may decline if the doctor's prescription can't be confirmed, or if they think a check-up is needed.
The content on this page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
