France Launches Campaign to Curb Medication Overuse

The initiative aims to reduce public health risks and financial burdens by encouraging more judicious use of medications.

The French Assurance Maladie has initiated a national campaign promoting the message 'The right treatment is not necessarily a medication.'
Statistics reveal that the average French citizen consumes 41 boxes of medication annually, with a total reimbursement cost of 25.5 billion euros in 2023.
A significant portion of French medical consultations result in prescriptions, with only one in five consultations not ending with medication.
The campaign is addressing concerns over high antibiotic consumption, as 40% of the population was prescribed antibiotics in 2023.
Medical professionals report feeling pressured by patients to prescribe medications, though there is a growing acknowledgment among the public and doctors that medication consumption is excessive.