National failure of the prescription system. The eHealth Center confirms strategy failure P1

Since Monday, June 9, 2025, there are difficulties throughout Poland with the functioning of the e-Health strategy (P1). The eHealth Centre reported method problems that may affect issuing and implementing e-recept. Although it was assured that patient data stay safe, the situation requires cognition of emergency procedures — both by pharmacies and by patients themselves.

Source of failures and corrective actions

The eHealth Centre explained that the failure is related to method problems on the side external supplier liable for maintaining IKP and myIKP systems. Intensified work is underway with the supplier and the maker of equipment where irregularities have been detected.

Experts at the eHealth Centre keep track of the situationin constant contact with technological partners. The precedence is to reconstruct the full functionality of the system, but it is essential to apply replacement procedures until the malfunction is resolved.

Are patient data at risk?

The eHealth Centre clearly ensured that data safety in the eHealth strategy (P1) was not compromised. Problems concern only the liquidity and communication between systems.

How to get a prescription during a crash?

In case of failure, you may proceed to receive medicines based on information on the e-reception if met three key conditions:

1. Having information on the e-reception — may be:
   • Information printout,
   • document in form Electronic (with IKP, myIKP, e-mail),
   • other form containing 44-digit access key or 4-digit code and product name.
2. Presentation of the identity document (e.g. ID card, passport).
3. Declaration without prior implementation of the prescription. The message should include, among others, the clause: “I am aware of the criminal liability for making a false statement.”

Model of patient statement

I hereby declare that I did not implement the e-recept: [code] and that I am aware of the criminal liability for making a false statement.
[Name of patient]
[PESEL number or identity card]
[Signature]

What does the pharmacy gotta do?

In case of a prescription without strategy P1, it is recommended to hold a paper confirming the e-recept:

• Information printout – best leave in the pharmacy or copy/scan.
• Electronic document – it is recommended to fix it only on the service device.

This data must be stored for 5 yearsin accordance with the applicable refund rules.

When do I put on a DRR?

After restoring the system, the pharmacy has up to 3 working days on display Recipe Implementation paper (DRR). If in the meantime another pharmacy has issued a DRR for the same e-recept, another implementation will be treated analogous to paper prescription - with an appropriate endorsement on the back or accompanying patient statement.

What if the pharmacy didn't fix the e-reception?

In situations where no reception information saved at the time of implementation, the pharmacy may contact the eHealth Centre to get them. The procedure is as follows:

1. The head of the pharmacy submits application signed with Trusted Profile.
2. The request shall be sent by ePUAP system.
3. The instructions are available on gov.pl at ePUAP.

What about the refund?

Regardless of how the prescription is handled during the accident, The pharmacy transmits data in the LEK message to NFZ. Even if you have utilized the same e-recept in respective places, each pharmacy has the chance to taxation the prescription and get the refund due.

What should patients do?

The e-Health Center recommends that patients without urgent request to complete the prescription, have postponed their acquisition for the following daysuntil the full functionality of the strategy is restored. In urgent cases, the procedure described above inactive allows access to medicines.

What's next?

It is not yet known precisely erstwhile the strategy will be full restored. However, transparent communication of the e-Health Centre and emergency procedures reduce the consequences of the accident for patients and pharmacies.

At the same time, the situation shows how much dependence on digital infrastructure the healthcare strategy in Poland has today. Although digitalisation has importantly improved the availability of services, Any interruption in access to systems can have a real impact on patient safety.