Poland’s health minister has appealed to President Andrzej Duda not to veto a bill that would grant over-the-counter access to the ‘morning after’ contraceptive pill for everyone above the age of 15.
President Duda announced that he would not sign the draft law last week, saying that the pill should continue to be given on prescription only and, for young girls, its use should be supervised by a parental figure.
Reacting to the president’s comments, Izabela Leszczyna said on Monday, “The president has his time to sign the law. Without any political hooks, I appeal to the president: do not stand against Polish women and Polish girls.”
She also refuted Duda’s claims that the EllaOne pill is dangerous and a “hormonal bomb”.
Reacting to the president’s comments, Izabela Leszczyna said on Monday, “The president has his time to sign the law. Without any political hooks, I appeal to the president: do not stand against Polish women and Polish girls.”
She also refuted Duda’s claims that the EllaOne pill is dangerous and a “hormonal bomb”.
“The ‘morning after’ pill is not harmful, because if it was, then, it would not have been readily accessible in 25 countries of the European Union for over 10 years.”
Leszczyna suggested that if the president goes through with his decision to reject the bill, there might be some form of alternative legislation introduced.
In some form, the pill “will be available from May 1,” the minister said.
The amendment to Poland’s existing pharmaceutical law, which will increase access to the pill, was adopted by parliament on March 6.
The president has 21 days to either sign off on the legislation or reject it altogether, but despite the will of the parliamentary majority, Duda, a long-standing ally of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, the current opposition, has voiced his objection to the amendment, adding that he would not sign anything he did not personally agree with.
Leszczyna suggested that if the president goes through with his decision to reject the bill, there might be some form of alternative legislation introduced.
In some form, the pill “will be available from May 1,” the minister said.
The amendment to Poland’s existing pharmaceutical law, which will increase access to the pill, was adopted by parliament on March 6.
The president has 21 days to either sign off on the legislation or reject it altogether, but despite the will of the parliamentary majority, Duda, a long-standing ally of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, the current opposition, has voiced his objection to the amendment, adding that he would not sign anything he did not personally agree with.
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