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Franceinfo: "Cold medicines available on prescription: "We're taking this step to protect patients", justifies ANSM".
While some healthcare professionals are calling for them to be banned completely from the market, making prescriptions compulsory will make it possible to limit the use of drugs that are sometimes unnecessary, when risk-free alternatives exist.
Alexandre de La Volpilière, Deputy Director General of the ANSM. (FRANCE INFO / LE GRAND TEMOIN)
"I think it's important that we make the decision to protect patients," Alexandre de La Volpilière, Deputy Director General of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines, told franceinfo on Tuesday December 10, as a prescription will be required for eight cold medicines (Humex, Dolirhume, Actifed) from Wednesday onwards.
"These medicines contain pseudoephedrine. It's an active substance that relieves nasal congestion, but it carries a number of risks," adds Alexandre de La Volpilière. These risks include a few cases of myocardial infarction or stroke every year.
Alternatives exist
These risks were already identified a few years ago. Several measures were taken, such as banning advertising. In 2023, the ANSM also advised healthcare professionals not to use these cold medicines. "Alexandre de La Volpilière advises:"There are risk-free alternatives, such as nasal cleansing with just a little salt water, rehydrating with plenty of fluids, or elevating the head when lying down.
If you still have cold medicines at home, ANSM advises you to take them back to your pharmacy. In recent months, the Agency has been lobbying Europe to ban these products. "We haven't been followed", regrets Alexandre de La Volpilière.
Read and listen at www.francetvinfo.fr
Franceinfo Radio France
Published December 10, 2024
