Health care has been a rather sizeable topic in the US for the last fifteen to twenty years. I think we’ve all heard countless statistics proving everyone and no one is to blame for our “health care crisis.”
Anyway… About five years ago I heard this one stat that just sits in the corner of my brain, gnawing at my skepticism. One media story claimed each Frenchman collected seventeen drug prescriptions annually, on average. To compare, the story claimed the US average was three to four prescriptions per person. I forget what was the overall gist of the topic presented, but for the last several years it just amazed me the French needed that much medication.
So last night it finally hit me. Maybe the dispersal of drugs in France is more closely controlled than here in the states. [Yah, I’m slow.] Here’s my question I pose to any recent visitors to France – or to any French members of Dopeville:
Are simple medications (aspirin, etc.) sold over the counter in France?
We have many over-the-counter drugs in the US, and if we count these purchases, maybe there is not such a large difference between the medication use in the US and France. I think.
I’m just trying to clarify for my sanity. I know this stupid stat will never leave my brain, and it may already be outdated. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Dopers!
I’ve read in a couple of sources (e.g., Peter Mayle’s books on Provence) that the French are just prescription-happy. Sort of in the same way that Americans are fond of collecting vitamin and herb supplements these days.
Many of the drugs that are prescription-only here in the U.S. are sold over the counter in France. I believe this is true for a lot of other countries too. So, I’m not sure why they would have a higher total number of prescriptions, unless they are just Rx-happy.
Also, if you ever go to France and get sick, be aware that the French are much more likely to provide the suppository form of a drug, rather than a pill, than you would find in the U.S. You are forewarned.
FWIW, the number of prescriptions per person is not an acurate way to determine the health of a nations people or the quality of their health system. There are to many variables. A much more acurate way is to measure infant mortality and life expectancy.
Does anyone know what data the recent WHO rating of national health care systems was based upon?
Well, I believe that France has socialized medicine, n’est-ce pas? (If I’m wrong, then freely ignore the rest of this).
In countries with socialized medicine, when you have something wrong with you, you just go to the hospital and get treated. They give you a slip which you take to the pharmacy and get your prescription. The hospital costs nothing and the drugs very little. I have seen this in action myself (in Italy); it’s remarkable. So my WAG is that people are more willing to get things treated. I mean, for me, I won’t get treatment unless I’m in clippling pain; if I knew it wouldn’t cost me anything…