Yasmina Kattou 7:30 p.m., March 09, 2022

A new national agreement is in the process of being signed between Health Insurance and pharmacists.

It plans to expand the missions of pharmacists, particularly in the field of prevention.

Unions have welcomed the measure, saying it paves the way for further reforms.

Vaccination, screening for colorectal cancer and acute cystitis, raising awareness among pregnant women about taking medication or even helping patients return home... the Health Insurance and pharmacists are in the process of signing an agreement expanding the missions of these latter.

The general assembly of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF) will decide next Tuesday but "the negotiation objectives have been achieved" for its president Philippe Besset.

A broadening of the missions of pharmacists

On the USPO side, the second union representing the profession, the board of directors has already voted for (75%) the signing of this new national agreement, valid for the next five years.

“This agreement enacts the expansion of the missions of pharmacists, particularly in the field of prevention”, detailed to AFP Philippe Besset who “sees in it the continuation of their commitment during the pandemic”.

The pharmacist will indeed be able, from October, to carry out all the vaccines for adults and adolescents from the age of 16 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis, etc.).

"In our initial studies we are trained to do this, but obviously from the moment we have not practiced for a long time, it is necessary to do a training reminder for all of these new acts and it will be done. in the months to come", explains Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France.

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They will participate in screening for colorectal cancer by giving a kit to all eligible people or will issue urine strips (and perform the analysis) to women with symptoms of acute cystitis.

Doctors remain essential for the prescription of drugs

Pharmacists will also be able to perform tests to determine whether sore throat is viral or bacterial, and will be paid to educate pregnant women about taking medication during pregnancy, to provide teleconsultation assistance in areas lacking doctors or participate in the Prado system, the Social Security service for returning home after hospitalization.

All in direct access, that is to say without a prescription.

On the other hand, for the prescription of drugs, it will always be necessary to turn to your doctor.

One of the objectives of these new roles: to allow access to care for all, especially in medical deserts.

“Important progress”

With the deployment of a new information system that will allow pharmacists to access "My health space", the new digital medical file for patients officially launched in February and to interoperate with doctors or with the hospital.

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"It's not the big step we wanted to take, it's not the 800 million we were promised, but maybe by dint of small steps, we will get far," said Wednesday during of a press conference Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Uspo, for whom "the convention offers important advances", "the broadening of the skills of pharmacists is there".

The total amount of the envelope provided for the new agreement should be between 100 and 150 million euros, according to the unions.