GIF hits the Polish rapper. “There was unauthorized advertising of the drug”

The Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate informed PAP that the manufacturer of Solpadeine did not agree to the use of the product name in the song “I fell in love with a pharmacy” by rapper Taco Hemingway. In the opinion of GIF, there was unauthorized advertising of a medicinal product.

“On January 28, 2026, the authority summoned the entity responsible for the medicinal product Solpadeine (effervescent tablets), to indicate whether the use of the name of the drug in the song “I fell in love with a pharmacy” was made with his knowledge and consent. In a letter dated February 6, 2026, the company informed that the product name was used without its knowledge, consent or authorization,” GIF told PAP.

The head of GIF, Łukasz Pietrzak, told PAP that, according to the law, advertising of a medicinal product can only be carried out by the responsible entity or an entity acting on its behalf.

– If the artist did not have such an order or authorization, he is conducting unauthorized advertising – he said.

Pursuant to Art. 60 section 1 of the Pharmaceutical Law, advertising of a medicinal product may only be carried out by the responsible entity or an entity acting on its behalf. In turn, Art. 129b section 1 of the Pharmaceutical Law states that “whoever advertises a medicinal product contrary to the provisions of the Act shall be subject to a fine of up to PLN 50,000.” The penalty is imposed by the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector by way of an administrative decision.

Pietrzak noted that, therefore, GIF plans to issue an administrative decision ordering the cessation of advertising and taking actions to remove its effects.

– We will wait to see if the decision will be implemented. If not, we can file a report with the prosecutor's office, he said.

The song “I fell in love with a pharmacy”, released in December 2025, quickly gained great popularity on social media. The name of an over-the-counter preparation containing paracetamol, codeine and caffeine appears many times in the text. In one scene, a pharmacist refuses to sell the drug, pointing out its potency.

As PAP found, this is not the first time the artist refers to specific drugs in his lyrics. In 2014, in the song “Tamagotchi” (from Quebonafide), the trade name Xanax (alprazolam) is mentioned – a strong anti-anxiety drug, the long-term use of which may cause physical and mental addiction. In 2015, paracetamol appears as an active substance in the song “Lek analdowy” (Sokół, Taco i Ras). In turn, in 2018, in the English-language track “Big Pharma” from the album “Europa”, the rapper mentions the name Solpadeine. Pharmacological motifs, both directly and metaphorically, are a recurring element of his work.

Pietrzak pointed out that comparing this situation to texts promoting illegal drugs is unjustified from the point of view of GIF's competences.

– Heroin or cocaine are not medicinal products with a registered trade name. We supervise the advertising of medicinal products and we must act in this respect, he emphasized.

He emphasized that the greatest threat does not concern intoxicating effects, but the toxicity of paracetamol in high doses.

– If someone wanted to get any effect, they would have to take very large amounts of the drug. Then it simply damages its liver, he said.

He added that paracetamol poisoning can occur insidiously.

– It's like fly agaric poisoning. After a few days, encephalopathy, liver failure and death may occur if an appropriate antidote is not administered, he warned.

Data from the National Health Fund show that in 2023, hospitalizations related to side effects and drug overdoses cost the system PLN 92 million, of which almost PLN 7.3 million related to paracetamol. Pietrzak drew attention to the growing problem of self-medication and the fashion for a “pill for every condition”.

– Medicines are not candies. Most drug poisonings, apart from suicide attempts, occur in children under six years of age. We have hard data, he emphasized.

Experts point out that underestimating the risks associated with over-the-counter drugs can lead to serious consequences. Psychologist and certified addiction psychotherapy specialist Magdalena Rowińska pointed out the need to strengthen critical thinking among young people and talk about the real effects of such behavior. Psychologist and Teacher of the Year 2018 Przemysław Staroń emphasized that he did not question the autonomy of art, but – as he emphasized – there is no freedom without responsibility.

PAP asked the musician and his managers for comment. By the time the dispatch was published, no response had been received.

Mira Suchodolska (PAP)

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