Introduction and objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of drug programs in the Polish: (1) assess whether the centralized financing model contributes to reducing regional disparities in access to modern drug technologies; (2) analyse trends in the number of programs, treated patients, and related public expenditures; and (3) examine associations between regional program utilization and selected socioeconomic indicators, including income, unemployment, and urbanization.

Material and methods:
A mixed-method approach was applied, combining a narrative review of the legal and institutional framework with a secondary analysis of National Health Fund (NFZ) data for 2012–2024. Indicators of program availability, patient numbers, and expenditures were analysed using dynamic measures of change.

Results:
Between 2012 and 2024, the number of drug programs increased from 42 to 133, which was accompanied by a consistent annual growth of approximately 10–11% in both the number of patients and healthcare expenditures. Although regional variation in utilization and spending was observed, no statistically significant associations were found between drug program use and socioeconomic indicators. The average number of services per patient remained relatively stable over time, with a slight downward trend.

Conclusions:
Drug programs represent a stable and effective component of the Polish healthcare system, supporting broader access to innovative therapies and potentially reducing socioeconomic inequalities. The lack of association with regional socioeconomic factors suggests that centralized financing and uniform eligibility criteria may mitigate disparities in access. Nevertheless, organizational and infrastructural factors, such as the distribution of specialized centres, likely continue to influence regional variation.