Direct consequence of the shortage that affects certain medications. As France Info revealed this Wednesday, the government will make individual distribution of certain antibiotics mandatory in case of supply difficulties. A system already partially authorized in France since May 2022.
“The idea is to make the distribution of medicines to the unit mandatory when there is tension. But not all, just some antibiotics,” a source close to the matter told BFMTV.
The list of antibiotics in question is not yet known.
In practice, therefore, a person whose doctor has prescribed an antibiotic will not be able to receive a full box, but rather a single pill. However, the list of molecules in question is unknown.
The Government’s objective: the “responsibility” of the French in the use of medicines and, therefore, to prevent boxes from being claimed without having been (entirely) consumed. According to the International Institute for Research against Counterfeiting of Medicines (IRACM), in 2019 a French person wasted an average of 1.5 kg of medicines per year.
Finally, the government also used the argument of fighting antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists have already shown their discomfort with unitary distribution projects in the past. And this, both for health and logistical reasons. Pharmacists will soon also be able to directly prescribe certain antibiotics.
Other solutions to shortages
To alleviate the shortage of certain molecules, Bercy collaborates with pharmaceutical manufacturers to resolve problems with the delivery of raw materials or poor inventory management. Roland Lescure, delegate minister in charge of Industry, also announced that hospital pharmacies will be able to produce more medicines directly:
“There will also be plans to have greater production capacities in the city’s health establishments and pharmacies in the event of supply tensions for a product,” he announced this Wednesday to the Echoes.
In this same interview, the minister delegate also suggested that the government could force manufacturers to “transfer the exploitation of the medicine to a public structure free of charge for two years.”
Source: BFM TV
