This is an important change for pharmacists and especially for patients. From this Monday, November 7, pharmacists will be able to administer any type of vaccine and booster dose to people over the age of 16 (on medical prescription only)in particular with the aim of relieving doctors and increasing medical coverage for adults.
A decision resulting from the national pharmaceutical convention which took place last March. “It thus perpetuates the central role that the pharmacist has played in the context of the health crisis in terms of vaccination and screening.“, then indicated the Health Insurance in a communicated.
Until then, pharmacists could only vaccinate against Covid-19 and the flu. 14 new vaccines are now added to the list: papillomavirus, whooping cough, polio or hepatitis reminders (A and B) are among the most important. But also “against diphtheria, tetanus (…) invasive pneumococcal infections (…) meningococci of serogroups A, B, C, Y and W and against rabies“, says theorder of pharmacists.
What are the new functions of the pharmacist?
The pharmacist will now be able to:
- Carry out all vaccinations of people over the age of 16. Each vaccination will cost €7.50 to the patient;
- Participate in colorectal cancer screening;
- Support screening and treatment of acute cystitis in women.
Pharmacists will also be responsible for conveying prevention messages and ensuring a form of follow-up with part of their clientele. “The first system to be put in place aims to raise awareness among pregnant women about taking medication during pregnancy.“, explained the Health Insurance in March. Could follow the support of diabetic patients and the follow-up of patients with opioid treatment.
THE “partners” of this new agreement have also agreed that, by the end of 2022, the list of on-duty pharmacies will be published on the ameli.fr website. And so that the pharmacist can renew treatments for chronic diseases in medical desert areas.
Finally, pharmacists hope soon to be able to prescribe vaccines themselves. The Parliament should give (or not) its agreement in the coming months, within the framework of the bill on the financing of Social Security 2023.
Sources:
- New agreement organizing the relationship between licensed pharmacists and Health Insurance, Health insuranceMarch 10, 2022
- Pharmaceutical agreement: entry into force on November 7 of interviews for pregnant women and the administration of prescribed vaccines, National Order of PharmacistsNovember 3, 2022
