ECEC issues statement in support of Polish doctor prosecuted for prescribing EC

ByCristina Puig

October 9, 2025 – The European Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ECEC) has issued a statement expressing full support for Dr. Jarosław Górnicki, a Polish physician under review by the Ministry of Health and the Medical Council for prescribing emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) to women in need.

Since 2017, when Poland reinstated the prescription requirement for ECPs, Dr. Górnicki has continued to prescribe them in line with national regulations. Despite acting fully within the law, he is being investigated due to the number of prescriptions issued — a move that raises serious concerns about the intimidation of healthcare providers. There are no clinical reasons whatsoever to restrict the number of prescriptions provided to women.

ECEC emphasizes that prescribing emergency contraception is never a crime and commends Dr. Górnicki’s role in ensuring women’s timely access to safe, effective, and confidential care.

ECEC stands with Dr. Górnicki and all health professionals committed to protecting reproductive rights and evidence-based practice.

[Download the full statement here]

Similar Posts

Black Friday discount for essential reproductive health supplies?

ByCristina Puig

December 2021. Last week, a big retail pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom announced a 50% discount on emergency contraception pills during Black Friday. The promotion has raised strong criticism from a number of organisations and Members of Parliament, who point out that essential women’s health products should not be used to make a profit. MPs and…

Russia: Mifepristone EC pills no longer available in pharmacies

ByCristina Puig

July 2025. In April, ECEC reported on new restrictions affecting the use of mifepristone in Russia, impacting both medical abortion and emergency contraception (EC). Now, the independent Russian media outlet Vyorstka has investigated the real-world availability of mifepristone-based EC pills. After contacting six major pharmacy chains and reviewing online retailers, they found that the two most…

European Parliament adopts landmark position on sexual and reproductive rights

ByCristina Puig

June 2021. On June 23rd, the European Parliament voted in favor of a landmark report presented by the Croatian Member of European Parliament (MEP)  Predrag Fred Matić on “the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU”. This report is the first of its kind in almost 10 years to give such…

Self-care interventions: guidance for health systems.

Self-care interventions: guidance for health systems.

ByCristina Puig

July 2024.  The World Health Organization (WHO)/HRP just published Implementation of self-care interventions for health and well-being: guidance for health systems. Aimed at those around the world implementing self-care interventions, the publication reviews WHO’s six health systems building blocks, and looks at the implementation considerations necessary for each. Several country case studies are also included….

EC sales in low- and middle-income countries: Data from Social Marketing Programs

EC sales in low- and middle-income countries: Data from Social Marketing Programs

ByCristina Puig

August 2023. DKT International and ECEC just published a brief that summarizes emergency contraception pills (ECPs) sales data from Social Marketing Programs in low- and middle-income countries, in the past 10 years. Emergency Contraception Pills Sales in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Data from Social Marketing Programs, reveals that ECPs experienced a remarkable growth during this…

Germany: Court ruling on EC dispensing

Germany: Court ruling on EC dispensing

ByCristina Puig

June 2024. In Germany, the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court ruled that a pharmacist cannot refuse dispensing emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) because of his or her beliefs or “conscience”. The Berlin Pharmacist Chamber had initiated a process against a pharmacist who systematically refused to stock and dispense ECPs in his pharmacy because he believed ECPs could…