Bordeaux Segalen University Details Findings in Health Insurance [Homeopathy in France in 2011-2012 according to reimbursements in the French…

Bordeaux Segalen University Details Findings in Health Insurance [Homeopathy in France in 2011-2012 according to reimbursements in the French national health insurance database (SNIIRAM)]

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- Data detailed on Health Insurance have been presented. According to news reporting originating from Bordeaux, France, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "The use of homeopathic medicine is poorly described and the frequency of combined allopathic and homeopathic prescriptions is unknown. To analyse data on medicines, prescribers and patients for homeopathic prescriptions that are reimbursed by French national health insurance."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from Bordeaux Segalen University, "The French national health insurance databases (SNIIRAM) were used to analyse prescriptions of reimbursed homeopathic drugs or preparations in the overall French population, during the period July 2011-June 2012. A total of 6,705,420 patients received at least one reimbursement for a homeopathic preparation during the 12-month period, i.e. 10.2% of the overall population, with a predominance in females (68%) and a peak frequency observed in children aged 0-4 years (18%). About one third of patients had only one reimbursement, and one half of patients had three or more reimbursements. A total of 120,110 healthcare professionals (HCPs) prescribed at least one homeopathic drug or preparation. They represented 43.5% of the overall population of HCPs, nearly 95% of general practitioners, dermatologists and pediatricians, and 75% of midwives. Homeopathy accounted for 5% of the total number of drug units prescribed by HCPs. Allopathic medicines were coprescribed with 55% of homeopathic prescriptions. Many HCPs occasionally prescribe reimbursed homeopathic preparations, representing however a small percentage of reimbursements compared to allopathic medicines. About 10% of the French population, particularly young children and women, received at least one homeopathic preparation during the year."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "In more than one half of cases, reimbursed homeopathic preparations are prescribed in combination with allopathic medicines."

For more information on this research see: Homeopathy in France in 2011-2012 according to reimbursements in the French national health insurance database (SNIIRAM). Family Practice, 2015;32(4):442-448. Family Practice can be contacted at: Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England. (Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/; Family Practice - fampra.oxfordjournals.org)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting M. Piolot, Univ Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France. Additional authors for this research include J.P. Fagot, S. Riviere, A. Fagot-Campagna, G. Debeugny, P. Couzigou and F. Alla (see also Health Insurance).

Keywords for this news article include: France, Europe, Bordeaux, Health Insurance, Insurance Companies

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