RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Impact of Secured Prescription Implementation for Zolpidem on Hypnotics Use in France: A Time-Series Analysis on National Data
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 345
OP 348
DO 10.1370/afm.2556
VO 18
IS 4
A1 Nicolas Rousselot
A1 Antoine Pariente
A1 Yohann Mansiaux
A1 Caroline Victorri-Vigneau
YR 2020
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/18/4/345.abstract
AB We evaluated the impact of the implementation of a requirement that zolpidem prescriptions be obtained via secured forms (April 2017) on zolpidem and other hypnotics use in France. We conducted a time-series analysis on data from the French national health care system, from January 1, 2015 to January 3, 2018, for all reimbursed hypnotics. An important and immediate decrease in zolpidem use (−161,873 defined daily doses [DDD]/month; −215,425 to −108,323) was evidenced, with a concomitant raise in zopiclone use (+64,871; +26,925 to +102,817). These findings suggest that the change in zolpidem prescribing policies was effective, but has resulted in a shift from zolpidem to zopiclone. Further interventions are needed to decrease hypnotics’ overuse in France.