Pharmacists cannot finally carry out tests to check whether angina is viral or bacterial right now. The implementing decrees are not ready. Last September, pharmacists had concluded an agreement with the Health Insurance to be paid up to six euros to perform this test instead of the doctor. This measure was to come into force on Wednesday, January 1.
However, Health Insurance "informed us in December that the regulatory texts would not be ready on time, and that it would rather be done in the spring," assured Philippe Besset, the president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France, on Tuesday ( FSPF).
With a "conditional order"
TRODs (rapid diagnostic orientation tests), performed in a few minutes by taking a sample from the patient's throat, make it possible to determine the origin of the condition. Because in 80 to 90% of cases, angina is caused by a virus and antibiotics are useless. It is only if the test attests to the presence of bacteria that the pharmacist will have to refer the patient to a doctor, who may prescribe an antibiotic. The doctor can also delegate the test to the pharmacist. He then issues a "conditional prescription": the patient will eventually get antibiotics only after performing the test in pharmacies.
But for this mechanism to be put in place, the General Directorate of Health must still specify certain practical arrangements by decree. For example, this is the age from which children will be eligible, said Philippe Besset.
Health
Pharmacy: Aspirin, Doliprane and Advil must be stored behind the counter from January 15
Health
Benign sore throat: Beware of allergic risks caused by certain drugs
- Sickness
- Health Insurance
- Test
- Health
- Pharmacy