[Prescriptions and consumption of venotonic drugs in France (à propos of the report of the French National Institute for prescriptions and consumption of drugs)].

In 1997, consumption of veinotonic drugs in France represented 3.8% of the sales of refundable patient medicines, that is to say nearly 3 Billion francs with a 2.8% mean annual increase in units sold from 1983 to 1997, whereas prices decreased and new presentations with stronger dosages and larger packagings appeared on the market. No French epidemiologic specificity could be evidenced as regards the prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency and its complications. In France, and in comparison with elastic support, veinotonic products are preponderant in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency despite restrictive labelling of authorization (treatment of symptoms) and recommendations of good practice which consider them as a complementary treatment. They are the subject of 18 million prescriptions per year, by 69,000 doctors, mainly general practitioners. They are utilized over long periods, within a context of prescription rather than automedication. The number of patent medicines available (109), the status of refundable medicine, strong demand of patients and therapeutic habits have made France the world's foremost market for veinotonic products, with 70% of international sales. French particularism is indeed due to these factors and not to the prevalence of the condition to be treated.