The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) in France has taken an important decision by announcing a ban on the sale of eight cold medications. These medications contain pseudoephedrinean active substance known to constrict blood vessels and relieve cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion.
However, this measure was prompted by the discovery that serious side effects could occur, such as strokes and myocardial infarctions.
France bans over-the-counter sale of 8 cold medications
Pseudoephedrine, although widely used to treat cold symptoms, poses significant health risks, especially when used without medical supervision. French authorities made this decision after finding that side effects can occur even in patients without medical history or risk factors.
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Among additional risks, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also reported neurological risks, such as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndromes and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes. The eight drugs affected by this ban in France are:
- Actifed Rume;
- Actifed Cold day and night;
- Dolirhume Paracetamol and Pseudoephedrine;
- Dolirhumepro Paracetamol, Pseudoephedrine and Doxylamine;
- Humex Rhume ;
- Nurofen Cold;
- Rhinadvil Rhume ;
- Ibuprofen/Pseudoephedrine;
- Rhinadvilcaps Cold and Ibuprofen/Pseudoephedrine.
Cold medicines: over-the-counter sale still authorized in Algeria
This ban raises an important question regarding countries where these drugs are still available over the counter, notably in Algeria. On the Algerian market, the sale of these drugs is done without a prescription, which increases the risk of self-medication and misuse. Many patients, sometimes poorly informed, take these medications without respecting the prescribed doses, or use them for long periods without medical supervision.
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The phenomenon of self-medication is particularly worrying in Algeria, where health practices are often informal. Consequently, health authorities could consider measures to better regulate the sale of drugs containing pseudoephedrine.
Among the possible solutions, a ban on advertising these products to the general public could be a first step. In addition, regular information campaigns on the dangers of oral vasoconstrictors, as well as the distribution of practical documents for patients and pharmacists, are essential to reduce the risks.
The situation in France highlights the importance of monitoring over-the-counter medications and ensuring that their use is well regulated. This precautionary measure is necessary to protect the health of the population from potentially dangerous medications.
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