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Self-medication: an undeserved second chance for drugs whose efficacy is questionable

It makes good sense that drugs whose efficacy remains unproven not be reimbursed by the national health insurance system. It makes no sense to promote the purchase of the same drugs by consumers, under the pretence of encouraging "self-medication".

In early 2006 and early 2007, the reimbursement rate was lowered to 15% for more than 150 drugs whose efficacy or therapeutic benefit was deemed insufficient by the French health authorities. This new rate hypocritically made it possible for drugs with no proven medical benefit – or even a negative benefit-harm balance – to continue being reimbursed, particularly venotonic and some vasodilator drugs.

As of 1st January 2008, the French health insurance system will no longer reimburse any of these drugs, which is a logical if belated move.

But their delisting is the opportunity for some firms to promote these drugs, whose medical benefit is questionable, directly to consumers.

And the French government's plans to approve direct patient access to some so-called self-medication drugs is more in pharmaceutical companies' interests than that of patients. Companies would rather have patients believe the advertising than ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice on drugs whose medical benefit is dubious.

©Prescrire 1 January 2008

Source: "Déremboursements post-réévaluation (suite)" Rev Prescrire 2008; 28 (291): 13.

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