Hospitals under pressure, saturated emergency services, multiplication of blank plans… In the midst of an epidemic of winter infections, the draft decree concerning the dereimbursement of antigenic screening tests for Covid-19 has provoked anger and incomprehension among professionals health, community pharmacists in the lead. They are mobilizing to demand the maintenance of all Covid measures (screening, isolation and coverage of masks for contaminated patients and their entourage) and, beyond that, are calling for these measures to be extended to the flu.
“While the flu epidemic is in full swing, Covid-19 remains an active threat, and we must help the hospital, under pressure, to breathe, this decision is absurd in terms of public health.” According to Raphaël Gigliotti, co-president of the General Union of Pharmacists of the Alpes-Maritimes, not only must this reimbursement be maintained, but it should even extend to screening tests for influenza and RSV (virus responsible for bronchiolitis, a potentially serious infection). serious in infants and the elderly), available in pharmacies but currently payable by patients.
“Today, when a person comes to a pharmacy with symptoms suggestive of the flu or bronchiolitis (runny nose, congestion, etc.), we can offer them a test, but it is not reimbursed, which implies an out-of-pocket cost varying between 5 and 15 euros (the price is freely set by the pharmacist, Editor’s note). Some patients agree to pay to check whether or not they have the flu or RSV and take appropriate measures; others cannot afford it, and that is a shame, because it might help prevent the spread of the epidemic.”
Invest in prevention
When we talk about the financial weight of such reimbursement measures and the serious consequences for public accounts of “whatever it costs” which prevailed during the health crisis (in particular with 100% coverage of screening tests) , the pharmacist retorts: “Whatever it costs”, it is today in the implementation of white plans in all hospitals in France, in the hospitalization of elderly people… These situations induce much more expenditure important than those resulting from the simple management of the tests. At some point we will have to decide to invest in prevention rather than paying crazy sums to try to put out fires. »
Faced with the double threat of Covid and the flu, the profession therefore puts forward very clear proposals:
“Maintain Covid measures, including screening, isolation and mask coverage, to guarantee an appropriate response. Extend these measures to influenza, by making tests refundable and ensuring mask coverage for patients and their loved ones.”
-Already authorized to dispense an antibiotic without a prescription in the event of angina or cystitis, pharmacists are also asking “the establishment, in the event of a positive flu test, of a Tamiflu delivery protocol”an antiviral used for the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B.
Authorization to issue Tamiflu
“This medication, available in pharmacies, is unfortunately underused. However, it is very effective when taken at the start of the flu or just after exposure to the virus; it helps reduce the duration and intensity of the symptoms. symptoms, which will of course have an impact in terms of duration of work stoppage and therefore also in terms of costs.”
Arguing the preventive interest, pharmacists finally want to be able to deliver the antiviral to those close to the infected person. “This would make it possible to immediately stop the progression of the flu, a very contagious disease, within a family. During the winter, we tend to stay indoors, with the windows closed… An infected person, without knowing it, transmits the virus quickly to all those close to it.”
With the epidemic peak expected to occur in the coming days, could the measures recommended by pharmacists be implemented quickly? “I think it’s entirely playable. Regardless, it’s important that we worry about it, because it’s likely that we’ll see another epidemic peak. And there’s bound to be one in end of the year.”
Related News :