MEDICATION: After security, the government is addressing the shortage

A government plan under the responsibility of the DGS, to avoid stock-outs. September 8, the Minister of Health, met again, the stakeholders in the production and distribution of drugs: manufacturers, wholesale distributors, the National Council of the Order of Pharmacists, the unions of pharmacists dispensary and hospital, and health authorities. The objective, secure drug supply the French market, so that each patient can have seamless access to its treatment is also in the sense of a good economy. United States, studies of substitutions related to breaks, conclude the use of drugs generally more expensive.

The shortage of anesthetics was denounced only a few weeks ago, the French Society of Anesthesia Intensive Care (SFAR) as well as other previously shortages in pharmacies on anti-retroviral drugs and other less expensive or generic . The threat of scarcity is not specific to France, it is also criticized in Canada and other countries like the United States, with currently more than 180 drugs out, stressing the need to establish systems for protect patients.

An action plan will be implemented, said the Minister without delay, under the auspices of the DGS and Afssaps to ensure easy access and long-lasting treatment. Among the measures discussed. Abseiling of public service obligations of each actor and implementation of systematic controls, Identification of risk areas: establishing a list of therapeutic classes defined as sensitive, that is to say, of major interest and risk of rupture, with establishment of a national monitoring of supplies of these products (eg, anesthetics, anti-cancer, anti-retroviral).

Implementing a management plan for shortages at the expense of holders of marketing authorizations. Establishment of a system facilitating rapid information on the one hand reporting by health professionals of any shortage or supply problems and on the other hand, the feedback to prescribers and providers, Look-ahead stops marketing to have a sufficient transitional period for implementation of alternative measures.

In summary, laboratories should report, with notice of the possible failures of drugs. The plan "without delay", said the Ministry, and by October a new meeting is scheduled to test its implementation. The plan comes just after the publication of the report of the National Audit Office which concluded that drug spending and price levels still too high with too generic substitution by the flagging