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Switzerland: elected officials attack addiction:
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Elected officials want to fight against the syrup against cough syrup – Switzerland: elected officials attack addiction
In response to the diverted use of codeine -based products. Meanwhile, national advisers call the Confederation to better supervise the prescriptions.
Purple Drank is a mixture in which we put in particular syrup against cough. Moreover, A risky practice.
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- Codeine -based syrups are not only prescribed in the event of a cough: they can also be given. However, to treat an addiction. In addition, The increase in prescriptions for this purpose worried by politicians.
- Some finish on the black market. In addition, Purple Drank, a dangerous mixture containing switzerland: elected officials attack addiction these products, affects 6% of adolescent boys. However, A specific withdrawal program has just been launched in Geneva.
- According to the Federal Council, there is no need to modify the legislation. Nevertheless, But interventions have been filed in Bern to better control this distribution.
“In my pharmacy, it’s monstrous. Meanwhile, Prescriptions OFF Label (Editor’s note: apart from officially recognized indications) Codeine syrups have increased tenfold, ”exclaims Thomas Bläsi. Similarly, Pharmacist. Nevertheless, national advisor (UDC), the Genevan has just filed a parliamentary motion asking to review the legal bases for these orders.
In the Canton of Geneva. Therefore, the Department of Health and Mobility (DSM) confirms the increase, which concerns in particular syrups based on dihydrocodeine, initially prescribed to treat cough in adults. However, these products too often end in the black market. Similarly, Mixed with soda. Furthermore, often switzerland: elected officials attack addiction with alcohol or other substances, they are consumed for festive purposes – especially by young people.
Purple Drank
This named practice Funk Drainer of your Lean has been addressed since 2020 in the Swiss panorama of addictions. Nevertheless, According to the 2025 edition, it concerns 6% of boys and 1.8% of girls at the age of 15. “The problem is that it can cause a important dependenceexplains Thomas Bläsi. This addiction is particularly difficult to fight among young people. ”
In the viewfinder of the Genevan: cases where patients do not have coughs. and where the substance is prescribed to wean an addiction. “To treat them, they are provided with bottles, gradually decreasing the doses,” he specifies. But these people do not all have good intentions. ”
Ces prescriptions off label are allowed. “If he does things correctly. the doctor must specify on the prescription what is the planned use,” says Thomas Bläsi. However, this precaution would not do everything. Nathalie Vernaz-Hegi, Geneva cantonal pharmacist explains that freedom of prescription allows doctors to adapt the treatments. On the other hand, current laws limit the intervention of health authorities, even in the event of suspicion of abuse.
In his motion, Thomas Bläsi asks the Federal Council to propose legislative changes to allow the cantons to act. The idea is to avoid weaning treatments using “any active ingredient and any dose”.
Codeine and benzodiazepines
The general term “withdrawal treatments” is not chosen at random. Because if syrups are talking a lot about them. Thomas Bläsi also points to other psychotropic drugs, such as benzodiazepines. switzerland: elected officials attack addiction Faced with doctors, he walks on eggs. “They probably want to help their patients, but other products can be used for withdrawal. The limitation that I propose would be limited to the treatment of addictions and would therefore only reduce their skills. ”
Will it be heard by the Federal Council? In his answers has questions On the subject, the government judges that there is no shortcomings. But the pressure rises on the executive. Thomas Bläsi’s motion was signed by elected officials from all political stripes. And then she is not alone.
Brigitte Crottaz, national advisor (PS/VD).
VQH/Florian Cella
In an arrestthe national councilor Brigitte Crottaz (PS/VD) is also concerned about the use of codeine syrups. calls for acting. According to her, the practice of Purple Drank becomes a “real public health problem”. As proof, the fact that, recently, a weaning program He is dedicated to him in Geneva.
Brigitte Crottaz cites as an example the substitution drugs for heroin dependence, for which federal control is exercised. “This procedure is binding and it is not necessarily what we claim. But federal instructions are necessary, switzerland: elected officials attack addiction and the cantons must be able to supervise this distribution. ”
In Geneva, Nathalie Vernaz-Hegi mentions other possible avenues. In particular. it recommends the establishment of a national prescription monitoring program accessible to prescribers and pharmacists, to “better detect suspicious behavior”. And then. it evokes the opportunity to extend the obligation to declare to all prescription drugs which have a risk of addiction, whatever the quantity prescribed.
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Switzerland: elected officials attack addiction
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