Question 18907 — pharmacy and medicines

Summary

Ms. Blandine Brocard draws the attention of the Minister of Solidarity and Health to the retention by patients or their loved ones of medications intended to relieve painful illnesses known as opioids. The danger these substances represent, particularly because they can cause strong dependence, is known. But beyond the question of resorting to these treatments - necessary in certain situations - there is that of free movement of unused medicines, particularly after the death of the patient or a change in prescription. The prescription of opioids is regulated by the public health code and the National Council of the order adds recommendations for doctors and pharmacists. However, once medications are prescribed, patients – or their loved ones – can keep unused supplies. Some pharmacists even refuse to take back these medications for destruction due to their special status. This gives rise to various risks such as being thrown into household waste, becoming part of a trafficking circuit or even being shared with other individuals without a prescription. Thus, the regulations could provide for the recovery of medicines not used by the prescribing doctor in the event of a change in prescription or, when of a death, by the doctor recording it. She asks him to what extent it is possible to consider a system allowing better control and better management of stocks of opioids prescribed but not consumed.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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