Spasfon, cough syrup… Should we stop reimbursing certain medications?

While the social security budget is under discussion, health professionals are proposing to review the reimbursement of medications whose effectiveness is not proven. For example, Spasfon, very popular for fighting stomach aches.

In the midst of a debate on the budget and at a time when social security must make savings, some health professionals are proposing to review the reimbursement of drugs whose effectiveness is not proven. This is the case, for example, with Spasfon.

This very popular medication for stomach aches has been authorized for more than 50 years even though its effectiveness has never been proven. It is only reimbursed at 15%, but it still costs social security 11 million per year.

The precedent of homeopathy

Other useless medications, cough syrups or even Tanganil used against dizziness, reimbursed at 30% even though it is only an “expensive placebo” according to the president of the scientific council of the college of general practitioner teachers.

Why aren’t we cleaning up these drugs of dubious effectiveness? Because it’s not the priority. And then, it is up to political power to take the initiative. In 2018, the delisting of homeopathy gave rise to a long controversy despite a lack of proven effectiveness.