If the Covid indicators are green in France, the epidemic is at its highest in China after the sudden end of health restrictions and the “0 Covid” policy.
Consequence: faced with the explosion of cases, the antiviral Paxlovid is being trafficked “of magnitude and intended for clandestine export with falsified prescriptions or not”, reports the Union of Unions of Dispensary Pharmacists (USPO) in an alert.
For the past few days, requests have exploded and worried pharmacists. “Dispatchers observe significant purchases of boxes by certain pharmaciesin particular in Ile de France, in the Grand Est and in the PACA region”, specifies the USPO.
According to a reporting of BFM TV, some pharmacists observe false prescriptions, for abnormal quantities, up to 2,000 boxes, for exorbitant prices, around 250 euros per box.
The authorities are alerted
Pharmacist representatives call on professionals to be vigilant and therefore recommend not to accept massive orders and/or orders subject to pressure.
“All sales of Paxlovid® as well as atypical orders are transmitted to Santé Publique France by name and provisions such as the deployment of inspections and checks in pharmacies will be set up. A quota of 20 boxes per pharmacy is already established. The ministry will communicate soon on this subject”, assures the USPO, before recalling that an export of medicine (transfer of medicine between two countries) is liable to heavy criminal and financial penalties.
Several pharmacists’ unions seized the Ministry of Health on January 11 to find a solution.
