No to the sale of medicines outside pharmacies. In its response to the Competition Authority, the National Order of Pharmacists opposes the end of the pharmaceutical monopoly.
Buying pregnancy tests in supermarkets may soon be possible. The senators voted “for” and for its part, theCompetition Authority wants to end the monopoly of pharmacies on the sale of self-medication and certain products, such as pregnancy tests. Last July, the competition authority launched a public consultation on the distribution of medicines in town. ” THE’National Order of Pharmacists (ONP) just answered him. Two subjects of debate stand out from this response, which was obtained by the Medical Press Agency (APM): the ONP refuses to open the pharmaceutical monopoly but supports greater price transparency.
Opening up the monopoly is tantamount to accepting counterfeiting
The distribution of drugs is currently limited to pharmacies, under the control of the health authorities. The Competition Authority would like to expand the network. The ONP firmly opposes the establishment of a new circuit. “Unlike other European countries neighboring France, no case of counterfeiting has been observed in the legal drug circuit. This is thanks to the current organization of the pharmaceutical chain, ”explains Isabelle Adenot, President of the National Council of the Order of Pharmacists (CNOP) in a press release. Understand that opening up the monopoly would mean welcoming counterfeiting into the legal circuit.
According to the ONP, the dispensary is a guarantee of quality and safety. Many rules apply, including a code of ethics. The Competition Authority wants to impose this code on other structures that market drugs. Insufficient for the National Order of Pharmacists, which recalls that other strict rules are not included.
The Order fears that an opening up of the pharmaceutical monopoly will run counter to the health objectives advocated by Europe: reduce drug consumption. By making them more attractive, the Autorité would encourage patients to buy unnecessary products. The sale of drugs in supermarkets also represents a double threat for pharmacies: a weakening of the national network and the end of the independence of pharmacists.
For greater price transparency
Another major component of the Competition Authority’s proposal: relax the legislation on advertising. The ONP notes several good initiatives. Informing patients about prices would have several beneficial effects. This would make it possible to launch more reliable comparators than at present. More transparent prices will also strengthen patient confidence and allow them to compete.
The ONP is not opposed to the online sale of medicines either, insofar as the pharmacist continues to exercise his role of information and advice. It also supports an expansion of the list of goods available in pharmacies, insofar as the products offered benefit the health of the patient. No standstill therefore on the side of the Order of Pharmacists, but a desire to protect pharmacies over time.
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