The decision reflects a growing trend in public health to regulate over-the-counter medications more strictly, especially those with known risks.
The move may lead to increased consultations with healthcare professionals as patients will need prescriptions for these common medications.
This action could influence the pharmaceutical market in France, potentially reducing sales of these products significantly.
There may be an increase in the use of alternative treatments for cold symptoms as patients seek safer options.
Healthcare providers might see a rise in patient visits for cold-related symptoms as prescriptions become necessary.
The decision could prompt other countries to reconsider their regulations on similar medications.
French health authorities have mandated that from December 11, 2024, eight popular anti-cold medications will require a prescription for purchase. This decision, announced by the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM), aims to mitigate the risks associated with the misuse of these drugs, particularly those containing pseudoephedrine. The banned medications include Actifed Rhume, Dolirhume, Nurofen Rhume, and Rhinadvil Rhume, among others. The ANSM has cited serious potential side effects such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and convulsions, which can arise from the use of these vasoconstrictor medications for treating common colds, which are generally self-limiting. The agency has previously warned against the excessive risks posed by these drugs, which have been under scrutiny for several years. The decision has surprised some pharmaceutical laboratories, which argue that the European Medicines Agency considers warnings on packaging sufficient, while the ANSM maintains that the safety of patients is paramount.