the essential
A decree published this Tuesday in the Official Journal authorizes pharmacists to dispense antibiotics without patients having to present a prescription. This process is only authorized if the patient suffers from bacterial tonsillitis or cystitis.
This is brand new: you no longer need to go to your doctor if you suffer from cystitis or bacterial tonsillitis, and if you are looking to get antibiotics. According to our colleagues at Parisian, an implementing decree was published this Tuesday, June 18 in the Official Journal. This text will allow pharmacists to dispense antibiotics to certain patients without them needing to present a prescription.
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Be careful, however: these antibiotics will only be issued without a prescription in very specific cases. Only patients with bacterial group A strep throat and “uncomplicated acute cystitis in women”. The delivery of these medications is subject to a test being carried out. For bacterial tonsillitis, the patient must undergo an oropharyngeal examination: a sample with a “swab inserted into the back of the throat, orally” will be taken. In the case of cystitis, the patient will be subjected to a urine test. These tests are subject to certain restrictions in terms of age and symptoms: it is impossible to carry them out if you have a particularly high fever or if you are pregnant.
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The objective of this measure formulated by the government in 2023 was to “expand the skills” of pharmacists. This measure should also make it possible to relieve congestion in medical practices. This decree was in any case welcomed by the National Union of Pharmacies of France (UNPF), which stated “excellent news for patients”. The text was, however, clearly criticized by general practitioners: the doctors’ union MG France pointed out a “cover-up measure”.
