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. 2020 Jul;18(4):345-348.
doi: 10.1370/afm.2556.

Impact of Secured Prescription Implementation for Zolpidem on Hypnotics Use in France: A Time-Series Analysis on National Data

Nicolas Rousselot  1 , Antoine Pariente  2   3 , Yohann Mansiaux  2 , Caroline Victorri-Vigneau  4
Affiliations

Impact of Secured Prescription Implementation for Zolpidem on Hypnotics Use in France: A Time-Series Analysis on National Data

Nicolas Rousselot et al. Ann Fam Med. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: ambulatory care; drug prescriptions; health policy; hypnotics and sedatives; interrupted time-series analysis; zolpidem.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of zolpidem secured prescription implementation on hypnotics ambulatory delivery in France (in monthly defined daily dose). DDD = defined daily doses; equ = equivalent
Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of zolpidem secured prescription implementation on hypnotics ambulatory delivery in France (in monthly defined daily dose). DDD = defined daily doses; equ = equivalent
Figure 1
Figure 1
Impact of zolpidem secured prescription implementation on hypnotics ambulatory delivery in France (in monthly defined daily dose). DDD = defined daily doses; equ = equivalent
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