France's drug levy meets CNAM targets

The National Sickness Insurance Funds (CNAM) have produced figures showing that, for January this year, the non-reimbursed franchises are generating revenue at the forecast rate of 850.0 million euros ($1.25 billion) per year. The amount is derived from a tax on prescription drugs of 0.50 euros per item (Marketletters passim).

Effect of levy on drug spending unclear

According to the French financial daily newspaper, Les Echos, interpreting the data in terms of year-on-year comparisons is tricky, despite the first month of the new charge's operation showing little change in drug spending, compared with a greater than 5% growth rate in the fourth-quarter 2007. The number of public holidays and a major statistical correction for seasonal variations needs to be taken into account.