Is Narine Probiotic Available Without a Prescription? Where Can You Buy It?

Narine is a lactic acid bacterial strain originating from Armenia, with a history spanning more than 60 years. Today, it is used in Narex dietary supplements available in Poland in various forms, from capsules to sachets containing freeze-dried bacterial cultures. These products can be purchased without a prescription from online stores, selected pharmacies, and herbal and health stores.

What is the difference between a dietary supplement and a medicine, which regulations govern the sale of Narine in Poland, and where can you buy original Narine products?

What Is the Narine Probiotic?

Narine is the name of a specific lactic acid bacterial strain designated as Lactobacillus acidophilus n.v. Er 317/402 Narine.

The history of this strain is associated with Armenia and research conducted by the team of Professor Levon Akopovich Erzinkyan. In 1964, research concerning Narine was formally registered, and in subsequent years, the strain found applications in the production of fermented dairy products, among other uses.

Narine belongs to the group of lactic acid bacteria involved in fermentation processes. The lactic acid produced by these microorganisms influences the acidity and other properties of fermented products.

Narine documentation also describes its microbiological characteristics, including tolerance to certain environmental conditions.

What Does Er 317/402 Mean?

Er 317/402 is the individual designation of the Narine strain. It distinguishes this particular strain from other bacteria belonging to the same species.

Strain identification is important in microbiology because individual strains may differ in their biological properties and applications.

Narex products contain the Narine Er 317/402 strain, whose origins are associated with the original bacterial culture preserved in Armenia.

More information about its identification and origins is available on the Narex website.

Why Does Narine Not Require a Prescription?

Narex probiotic products are classified as food supplements in Poland.

Under the Polish Act of 25 August 2006 on Food and Nutrition Safety, a food supplement is a foodstuff intended to supplement the normal diet, providing a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect.

Food supplements may contain various ingredients, including appropriately selected microbial cultures.

Narex Caps, Forte, Duo, and Sachets contain live Narine bacterial cultures and are intended to be used according to the instructions provided on their packaging.

Purchasing a food supplement does not require a prescription or a doctor’s appointment. These products can be purchased directly from online stores or physical retail outlets.

Food Supplements vs Medicines – What Are the Differences?

Food supplements and medicinal products belong to different legal categories.

The main differences concern their intended purpose and the regulations governing their marketing and sale.

Food supplement	Medicinal product
Classified as a foodstuff	Regulated under pharmaceutical law
Intended to supplement the normal diet	Intended for specific therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventive purposes
Subject to food legislation	Subject to pharmaceutical legislation
In Poland, notification to the Chief Sanitary Inspector is required when first placed on the market	Generally requires marketing authorisation
Available without a prescription	May be available with or without a prescription

A product’s legal status depends on several factors, including its composition, intended purpose, and presentation.

It is also worth noting that some medicinal products contain live microorganisms. The presence of bacteria alone does not determine a product’s legal classification.

Narex probiotics sold in Poland are regulated under the legislation applicable to food supplements.

How Are Narine Supplements Placed on the Polish Market?

The introduction of food supplements to the Polish market is governed by food legislation.

One of the primary legal acts is the Polish Act of 25 August 2006 on Food and Nutrition Safety.

Under Article 29 of this Act, a business operator introducing or intending to introduce a food supplement to the Polish market for the first time must notify the Chief Sanitary Inspector.

What Is GIS Notification?

Notification, also referred to as notyfikacja in Polish, is an administrative procedure used to monitor food products introduced to the Polish market.

The notification includes information such as the product name, manufacturer, form, qualitative and quantitative composition, and labelling in Polish.

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS) maintains a public register of products covered by these notifications.

GIS notification is not a marketing authorisation or a certificate of effectiveness. The business operator is responsible for ensuring that the food supplement complies with applicable food safety, composition, and labelling requirements.

These products are also subject to official controls carried out by the relevant authorities of the State Sanitary Inspection.

Further information about the regulations governing food supplements is available from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.

What Information Is Provided on Narine Supplement Packaging?

Food supplement labelling is regulated by Polish and European Union legislation. Its purpose is to provide consumers with information about the product and instructions for its use.

The packaging should include information such as the product name, list of ingredients, recommended daily serving, storage conditions, best-before date, and details of the responsible food business operator.

For products containing live bacterial cultures, the full strain designation and the number of microorganisms expressed in CFU are also important.

What Does CFU Mean?

CFU stands for Colony Forming Units.

This measurement indicates the number of viable microorganisms capable of forming colonies under specified laboratory conditions.

The CFU count in Narex products depends on the selected variant:

• Narex Caps – 1.8 × 10⁸ CFU per capsule.
• Narex Forte – 2.7 × 10⁸ CFU per capsule.
• Narex Duo – 1.8 × 10⁸ CFU per capsule, with added inulin.
• Narex Sachets – 3 × 10⁸ CFU per sachet.

All four variants contain the same Narine Er 317/402 bacterial strain but differ in their form, bacterial count, or additional ingredients.

What Do EU Regulations Say About Probiotics and Health Claims?

Communication concerning food supplements is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods.

Health claims refer to a relationship between a food, one of its ingredients, and human health.

In the European Union, the use of such claims is subject to specific conditions and requires appropriate authorisation.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducts the scientific assessment of health claims, while the European Commission decides on their authorisation through the relevant procedure.

EU legislation includes an authorised health claim concerning live cultures in yoghurt and their contribution to improved lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose. This claim applies to specific cultures and products that meet established conditions.

However, it does not constitute a general health claim for all preparations containing lactic acid bacteria.

Information about Narex products therefore focuses on the identification of the Narine strain, its origins, product composition, and directions for use.

Why Does the Origin of the Narine Strain Matter?

Narine is a bacterial strain with a long history associated with Armenia.

Research conducted by Professor Levon Erzinkyan led to the use of this bacterial culture in applications including fermented dairy products.

In 1973, industrial production of Narine fermented milk began in Yerevan. In subsequent years, the strain was also used in other dairy production facilities in Armenia.

An important milestone in the development of modern Narine products came in 1999, when Narex established cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

Under the agreement, Narex obtained the right to use the reference Narine strain.

As a result, Narex products are directly connected to the original source of the bacterial culture in Armenia.

The strain’s history, identification, and documentation are important elements of Narex’s specialisation.

More information is available on the History of Narine page.

Where Can You Buy Narine Probiotics Without a Prescription?

Original Narex products containing the Narine Er 317/402 strain can be purchased in Poland without a prescription.

They are available through the official Narex online store and authorised retail partners, including selected pharmacies and herbal and health stores.

The official importer and distributor of Narex products in Poland and the European Union is ProBiomarket Sp. z o.o.

Which Narine Products Are Available?

Narex Caps – a traditional capsule format containing the original Narine Er 317/402 strain.

Narex Forte – a capsule formulation containing a higher number of Narine bacteria than the standard Caps variant.

Narex Duo – a supplement combining the Narine strain with inulin, a type of soluble dietary fibre.

Narex Sachets – a freeze-dried Narine bacterial culture in powder form. The sachets can be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and can also be used to prepare Narine fermented milk.

These products can be compared in terms of composition, form, and CFU count.

Explore Narine Probiotics Available Without a Prescription at Narex

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Buy Narine Without a Prescription?

Yes. Narine probiotics by Narex are sold in Poland as food supplements and do not require a prescription.

Is Narine a Medicine?

Narex Caps, Sachets, Forte, and Duo are food supplements. They are subject to food legislation and are intended to supplement the daily diet.

Is Narine Probiotic Available in Pharmacies?

Yes. Narex products may be available in selected physical and online pharmacies, as well as herbal and health stores and the official Narex online store.

Do All Narex Products Contain the Same Narine Strain?

Yes. Narex Caps, Forte, Duo, and Sachets contain Lactobacillus acidophilus n.v. Er 317/402 Narine. They differ in their form, CFU count, and additional ingredients.

Can Narine Be Taken Every Day?

Narex products are intended for regular supplementation according to the recommended daily serving indicated on the packaging.

Can Children Take Narine?

The appropriate age for using each Narex variant and its recommended serving depend on the specific product. For younger children, it is advisable to discuss supplementation with a paediatrician.

Does Narine Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes. Narex probiotic products should be stored at temperatures up to +8°C, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Is Narine Registered With GIS?

Products introduced to the Polish market as food supplements are subject to a notification requirement to the Chief Sanitary Inspector when first placed on the market. GIS maintains a public register of such notifications.

Where Can You Buy Original Narine Er 317/402?

Original Narex products containing the Narine Er 317/402 strain are available through the official Narex online store and the distributor’s retail partners.

Conclusion – Narine Without a Prescription in Poland

Narex Narine is available without a prescription because the brand’s products are sold in Poland as food supplements.

Narine Er 317/402 is a specifically identified lactic acid bacterial strain with a history dating back to Armenia and the research of Professor Levon Erzinkyan.

Narex has been developing preparations based on this strain since 1999, using a bacterial culture associated with the original Armenian source.

Four main variants are available in Poland: Caps, Forte, Duo, and Sachets. All can be purchased without a prescription, allowing consumers to choose their preferred form and composition.

Buy Original Narine Probiotics by Narex

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. Do not exceed the recommended daily serving. Food supplements do not replace medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Sources

1. Chief Sanitary Inspectorate – Rules for Placing Food Supplements on the Market.
2. Polish Act of 25 August 2006 on Food and Nutrition Safety, particularly Articles 3 and 29.
3. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 – Nutrition and Health Claims.
4. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 – List of Permitted Health Claims.
5. Narine Er 317/402 Strain – Narex.
6. History of Narine – Narex.