President signs in new bills

A pledge to provide free medicines to pensioners over the age of 75 was part of Duda's electoral campaign and that of the Law and Justice (PiS) party which won the October 2015 general elections.

“According to the Act on healthcare services financed from public funds, people over the age of 75 will be entitled to free medicines, foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional needs, and medical devices, which will be included in a list announced by the health minister,” the presidential chancellery said in a statement.

The first such list will be announced by the health ministry by 1 September.

“This means that from September, pensioners will be able to benefit from free medicines included on the list,” the presidential chancellery said.

Another bill signed by the president included a new law to limit access to bomb-making chemicals which could be used in a terrorist attack.

The other three bills signed by Duda on Wednesday related to teachers, the rights of the Ombudsman, and one extending the current teaching model at the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution. (rg)