Last year, the French health insurance system reimbursed 25.5 billion euros worth of drugs.
Everyone has realized that “ antibiotics are not automatic “. Medicare now wants to make it clear that “ the right treatment is not necessarily a drug “.
It has just launched a communication campaign aimed at patients and doctors, to combat over-prescription, a health and public finance issue.
Last year, 25.5 billion euros worth of drugs were reimbursed by the French health insurance system, 3.4% more than in 2021. “ French people still rely heavily on medication “she laments. Only one consultation in five ends without a drug being prescribed.
Over-prescribed painkillers and antibiotics
There is room for maneuver. Assurance-maladie has identified five key areas for action: antibiotics, whose consumption in France is 25% above the European average; proton pump inhibitors, drugs designed to combat regurgitation, for which ” are widely misused, and are dangerous for children under 2 years of age. years “Drugs prescribed outside their reimbursable therapeutic indication, such asOzempicfor diabetics, but all too often used for weight loss; or painkillers that can be addictive.
Finally, the French health insurance system is encouraging doctors to reduce the number of drugs prescribed to the chronically ill and the over-65s, who too often combine treatments.