French moves on self-med liberalization

France has moved a step closer to liberalization of the self-medication market with a decision by the pharmacists' professional regulatory body (OdP) to agree to the over-the-counter sale of certain prescription products, currently not allowed under the profession's rules.

Jean Parrot, president of the OdP council, said he had promised the Minister of Health that the pharmacists would adapt and that they were ready to change their rules during first-half 2008. However, the change will be subject to a number of conditions. There will be a ban on the free sales of "potentially dangerous" drugs, while some patient package inserts and other details may have to be modified. There will also have to be a pharmacists on the premises to monitor the OTC sales area. Mr Parrot stated that, if these conditions were respected, the profession was ready to lift its ban.

A "decisive move," says Afipa