The French Society of Dermatology (SFD), the French Federation for Continuing Education in Dermatovenereology (FFFCEDV) and the College of Dermatology Teachers of France (CEDEF) jointly condemn the fact that pharmacies can examine moles.
Since the beginning of June, it is possible to have your moles examined in pharmacies. Three pharmacies of the Pharmabest group have been authorized to do so, one in Marseille, the other in Alès and the last in Paris. An initiative approved by the National Union of Dermatologists-Venereologists (SNDV). Soon, they will be 50 across France to be able to offer this exam.
Specifically, the pharmacist uses a dermatoscope to take an image of the mole in question. This is sent to the Screen Cancer platform, located in Alsace. Dermatologists then analyze the mole using the photo. The response is sent to the patient within 15 days. He must pay 28 euros to be screened, and add 14 euros per additional mole. For the time being, this screening is not reimbursed by Social Security or by mutual funds, but appears to be an alternative to the endless waiting times for dermatologists.
Only “four dermatologists, out of 4000 in France”
But the French Society of Dermatology (SFD), the French Federation of Continuing Education in Dermatovenereology (FFFCEDV) and the College of Teachers in Dermatology of France (CEDEF) denounced in a joint press release “an initiative designed by a private pharmaceutical group and not relying only on a very small number of dermatologists “. According to Pascal Joly, president of the SFD, only “four dermatologists, out of 4000 in France, are associated with it”. “This device, by its size, will have no benefit for public health. Worse, it is potentially dangerous because people will show spectacular lesions or, often, melanomas are not. They are at risk of. to be falsely reassured “.
However, the SNDV qualifies the approach of pharmacies. “It is not a question of diagnosing or of screening, but of giving an opinion on the lesion which is worrying and, above all, of encouraging people to be screened in a dermatologist’s office,” explains Marc Perrussel, its vice-president. “The message that will be sent will be to say: show your entire skin to a doctor because it is very important to do it”. In France, every year, 10,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed. In half of the cases, the patients are over fifty years old. It is the most serious of skin cancers because it can quickly metastasize. When caught early enough, it can be treated very well and cared for.
An extension of the services offered by pharmacies
This novelty is part of a movement to diversify pharmacies. Next July, a decree must be published in the Official Journal to determine which missions pharmacies can perform. Since 2017, it is possible to be vaccinated against the flu in some of them in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and New Aquitaine. All you need to do is show the pharmacist a vaccination voucher or a prescription provided by the doctor.
In France, there are more than 21,000 pharmacies, but in recent years, the profession has been shaken by numerous closures. In five years, more than 900 establishments have closed their doors. These difficulties reinforce the need to diversify for pharmacists.
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