The French consume too many drugs. Prescription methods must therefore change, according to an analysis note from the General Commission for Foresight.
Almost one box per week per French person and € 525 spent per inhabitant on average in 2012. In an analysis note published on March 5, the General Commission for Strategy and Foresight (CGSP) (1) details how to reduce consumption of drugs in France. Its authors are particularly concerned about the “harmful consequences on the health of populations” of this overconsumption.
Prescribe from a reference list
France must prescribe otherwise, according to the analysis note. This involves, on the one hand, reducing the number of drug prescriptions, but also modifying their nature. The medical consultation is too closely linked to the prescription, stress the authors. There is an abundant supply of specialties, but physicians have knowledge “ill-suited to needs and often deemed insufficient.” “
The CGSP proposes to follow the example of Sweden by reducing the possible choice with the help of a reference list. Such a list could also favor less expensive molecules, thus saving money. It is also necessary to give priority to medication. The analysis note cites the city of Strasbourg as an example: the doctors “prescribe” a sporting activity there, supported by the Health Insurance.
Developing the role of the pharmacist
To reduce drug consumption, it is also patient information that must change, says the CGSP. The advisory role of pharmacists, with patients and doctors, is at the heart of the proposed system. Upstream of the prescription, “systematizing” the exchange groups, including pharmacists, would make it possible to better adapt the prescriptions to the real needs of the patient. When the drug is dispensed, the information must be better provided.
The authors of the note propose to change the status of the pharmacist into a health educator, whose remuneration is no longer based solely on the number of boxes sold. Systematic information on the dosage, on the side effects of the molecule: here are some examples of the missions that could be attributed to it. Downstream of the prescription, the objective is to avoid bad practices. Self-medication would be secure if the packaging were “more readable” and the instructions “simplified”, according to the CGSP. The authors of the note are also in favor of a unit sale of drugs.
(1) The CGSP assists the government in determining the broad directions of the nation’s future and the medium and long-term objectives of its economic, social, cultural and environmental development. It also contributes to the preparation of the reforms decided by the public authorities (Source CGSP).
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