Historical determinants of the development of the legal basis of pharmacy in Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12923/cipms-2026-0027Keywords:
history, law, pharmacy, PolandAbstract
This paper aims to present the historical determinants of the development of the legal basis of pharmacy in Poland from the tenth century until the nationalization of pharmacies in 1951. Specifically, the paper describes how major historical events, including the partitions, influenced the healthcare system and pharmacies. A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database from its inception to September 2022, as well as Google Scholar. The Online Legal Database (ISAP) was also used in these studies. Following the Third Partition of Poland, Polish territories were divided among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Foreign legal regimes were introduced in Poland, and pharmacies were subject to the jurisdiction of the partitioning powers. After Poland regained independence in 1918, the partition laws were not abolished while a new organizational structure for the healthcare system was being established. Poland inherited three pharmacy systems after the partitions, all of which were based on a concession system. Although government bills were prepared to create a unified pharmacy system, the Second World War halted these efforts. During the war, the health service was reorganized according to current German laws. In the early postwar years, the pharmaceutical service was reorganized as the foundations of the new health service were constructed. The pharmacy network expanded, and pharmacy chambers were established. The nationalization of pharmacies and the subsequent collapse of individual pharmacies was a turning point in the history of Polish pharmacy. This change in regulation altered the image of Polish pharmacies and reduced the prestige of the profession. Following Poland's political transformation in 1989, key legislation shaping today's pharmacies took effect. A period of dynamic socioeconomic changes also began in pharmacies and continues to this day. The results presented in the manuscript demonstrate that Poland’s lack of independence and World War II played an important role in shaping pharmacy ownership and operation
in subsequent years.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Adam Majewski, Tomasz Baj, Anna Serefko, Jan Sobczyński, Aleksandra Szopa (Autor)
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