Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission
28.8.2017
The EU pharmaceutical legislation includes derogatory provisions when it comes to contraceptives and abortifacients, namely Article 4(4) of Directive 2001/83/EC[1]. Under those derogations, Member States may prohibit or restrict the use of such products in their territory. In accordance with Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) 726/2004[2] this derogation can also be invoked for products, which have been authorised by the Commission on the basis of a scientific opinion of the European Medicines Agency.
Poland recently notified the Commission of its intention to make use of the derogation in accordance with Article 4(4) of Directive 2001/83/EC.