Poland updates list of veterinary medicines sold without prescription

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a regulation updating the classification criteria and the list of veterinary medicinal products that may be sold without a prescription, published in Dziennik Ustaw on 3 September 2026 under poz. 1171. Signed on 26 August 2026 by Minister S. Krajewski, the measure amends the existing rules on retail trade in over-the-counter veterinary medicines and enters into force the day after its publication.

The regulation is based on Article 71(4) of the Pharmaceutical Law Act of 6 September 2001 and replaces the annexes of the earlier regulation of 3 April 2008 on the conditions to be met by entities conducting retail trade in veterinary medicinal products dispensed without a medical prescription. It rewrites both the classification criteria (Annex 1) and the catalogue of eligible products (Annex 2).

What the new list covers

The updated catalogue covers ectoparasiticides, anthelmintics and hive treatments for companion and production animals, with the active substances and dosage forms specified for each target species.

• Lotilaner (AdTab) chewable tablets for dogs and cats, from 12 mg to 900 mg.
• Fipronil and fipronil combinations (with S-methoprene, methoprene, permethrin) as spot-on solutions, sprays and collars for dogs, cats and ferrets.
• Imidacloprid and imidacloprid–permethrin and imidacloprid–flumethrin combinations for dogs and cats.
• Praziquantel and pyrantel embonate combinations (Drontal, Dronspot, Dehispot) for dogs and cats.
• Oxalic acid and formic acid preparations (VarroMed, Oxybee) for the honey bee.
• Deltamethrin and propoxur collars (Scalibor, Kiltix, Canishield) for dogs.

Classification criteria

Annex 1 sets out the classification criteria that determine which products may be traded over the counter, specifying for each entry the international non-proprietary name of the active substance, the pharmaceutical form, the route of administration, the dose and the target animal species. The list includes spot-on solutions, chewable and coated tablets, sprays, pastes, collars and hive strips, with doses tailored to the weight and species of the animal.

Who is affected

The measure directly concerns veterinary pharmacies and other entities authorised to retail veterinary medicines, as well as pet owners who buy antiparasitic treatments without a prescription. The updated list also reflects the inclusion of products for the honey bee, reflecting the needs of beekeepers in the treatment of varroosis.

Source: Dziennik Ustaw, No. 2026, 3 September 2026, section I, p. 1171 (official reference: Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1171).