French reimbursable spend "less dynamic"

The effect of the introduction of the so-called franchise regime for patient drug charges in France this year may have resulted in making the reimbursables sector "less dynamic." Frederic van Roekeghem, director of the health fund organization, the CNAM, said there appeared to be a "franchise effect" on the volume of medicines consumed but this was not yet entirely clear.

However, since January 1 when the franchise charge of 0.50 euros ($0.79) per drug pack came into effect, the reimbursement sector appears to have slackened. Drug spending fell 4.3% in January, although this includes seasonal factors. The trend is reported to have continued through February.

The CNAM has meanwhile reported a 4.8% rise in drug reimbursement spending in 2007 to 15.2 billion euros. This represents a slowdown in comparison with the period 2000-2004 when spending rose at an annual rate of between 6% and 8%. Reimbursement spending on statins fell 3.7% last year as prescriptions fell, prices were reduced and generics provided competition. That on ulcer treatments dropped 2.2% and was down 2% on antidepressants and psychotropic drugs. Spending on antibiotics rose only 1.5% though it remained high on diabetic treatments and increased 13.3% for insulin products