Paris – A proposed French government plan to limit initial prescriptions of common over-the-counter pain relievers to two boxes per patient is facing mounting opposition from pharmacy unions, who warn the measure is impractical and will unduly burden those managing chronic pain. the initiative,impacting drugs like acetaminophen,ibuprofen,and aspirin,aims to reduce healthcare costs and address concerns about overuse,but pharmacists argue it fails to consider the needs of patients requiring regular medication. Negotiations with the French Directorate-General of Health are ongoing, with a decision expected before December 23rd.
French health officials are considering limiting initial prescriptions of over-the-counter pain relievers to two boxes per patient, a move intended to curb misuse and reduce healthcare costs.
The proposal, currently under discussion between pharmacy representatives and the French Directorate-General of Health (DGS), would affect common pain medications like acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen, and aspirin. Limiting initial prescriptions, even for patients managing chronic conditions, is seen by the government as a way to both save money and address concerns about inappropriate use of these drugs. Access to effective pain management is a critical component of public health, and changes to prescription practices often spark debate among healthcare providers and patient advocates.
Pharmacists’ unions have voiced strong opposition to the plan, characterizing it as yet another unnecessary complication. Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union of Pharmacy Trade Unions (USPO), explained the potential issues: “If a patient comes with a prescription for ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and tramadol, I will have to dispense the tramadol for a month and, for the ibuprofen and acetaminophen, I could only dispense two boxes which, in addition, would not have the same number of days of treatment… It’s ridiculous. I agree with limiting dispensation, with limiting sales without a prescription, but we shouldn’t do things haphazardly.”
The debate centers on the practicality of the proposed limit, particularly for individuals with chronic pain who require regular medication. Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF), emphasized the concerns regarding chronic patients. “In this project, there is still an unacceptable measure: it’s the limitation to two boxes for chronic patients,” he stated. “We are not going to ask chronic patients who take 3 or 4 grams of acetaminophen per day to come and pick up their boxes two at a time. It’s unworkable; this draft decree cannot pass as it stands.”
So far, the concerns raised by pharmacists haven’t been addressed, prompting Besset to directly appeal to the Ministry of Health. “This idea of limiting the initial dispensation to two boxes denies the problem of pain and access to care for these patients who sometimes have difficulty accessing their treatments,” he said, determined to persuade the Ministry to reconsider. Discussions are ongoing, with a deadline for completion set for December 23rd, leaving some room for potential revisions to the proposal.
