Where are the most prescription drugs consumed? In which region do we substitute the most with generics? The health market specialist IMS Health looked into the subject and noticed that the per capita consumption of drugs in France varies greatly from region to region.
In Ile-de-France, consumption is 11% lower than the national average, and in Limousin 21% higher. On the other hand, if we stick to comparing the drug budget of households, the relationship is reversed. The price of drugs in Ile-de-France is 11% above the national average, and Limousin 9% below. It is on the Mediterranean rim, in particular in Corsica, that health expenditure is highest.
In summary, “The more drugs we consume, the less expensive the products consumed”, note the authors of the study.
The analysis also more surprisingly establishes that the average standard of living of a region is inversely proportional to the consumption of drugs. The higher it is, the lower the consumption.
It also appears that medical density (number of doctors per inhabitant) is not an explanatory factor for the differences in consumption volumes.
With regard to the prescription of generic medicines, there are few differences between regions (65 to 68% of prescriptions). On the other hand, it is in pharmacies that the gap is widening. Pharmacists sell the most generics in Pays-de-Loire (84% of prescriptions). In Corsica, on the other hand, this rate is only 67%.
According to IMS Health, if drug prices were aligned across regions, 560 million savings could be made by Social Security in reimbursement.
