The College of Physicians has been slow to respond, but it hits hard. Contacted by us last week as part of an article on experimental treatment protocols against the coronavirus, in particular implemented by several general practitioners, the body did not wish to speak. But after having mobilized its Public Health section, the National Council (CNOM) published this Thursday a press release on "illegal research protocols and prescriptions outside Marketing Authorization (AMM)".
"The National Council of the College of Physicians strongly reminds all doctors that in this period of particular vulnerability and faced with the concern of our fellow citizens, their words take on an even more important meaning," explains the text. It would be unacceptable in this context to raise false hopes of recovery. […] The CNOM has informed the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) of these protocols, which are outside the legislation in force and will draw the consequences of the opinion of the ANSM if necessary. "
The press release confirms that certain practitioners who made their protocol known “in the general press” have been called to order by the departmental committee of the CNOM. This is particularly the case of the two Moselle doctors and their sister from the North who unveiled results that they considered interesting on a combination based on azithromycin.
"The Council of the Order of Physicians has forbidden me to communicate with the press," informed us one of the members of the trio, who did not stop his prescriptions. The publication of his research had aroused as much curiosity as admonition among the general public or in the medical community.
"We reasoned before prescribing it"
The College of Physicians is threatening in the event of proven drift: "The endangerment of patients, if it appeared that it could be caused by treatments not scientifically validated, could justify [...] the referral to the Director General of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) to request an immediate suspension of the activity of these doctors. "
Dr Sophie Gonnet, who is part of the team of generalists who thinks they have highlighted the effectiveness of antihistamines on the virus, says that they have not received any summons at the moment. "Maybe it will come," she breathes. It doesn't inspire me much. We find that they had better be interested in this drug rather than looking for us. We reasoned before prescribing it. We will take our responsibilities as doctors, there is no problem. "
Doctors are free to prescribe medications outside the scope of their Marketing Authorization, but they must state this on the prescription and are responsible. Media coverage is strictly framed. The Public Health Code specifies that "when the doctor takes part in an action of information of the public of educational and health character, whatever the means of dissemination, he must only report confirmed data, demonstrate be cautious and be concerned about the repercussions of his remarks to the public. "
Newsletter - The essentials of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le ParisienI'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more
The following article, quoted by the CNOM, is even more restrictive: “Doctors must not disclose in medical circles a new diagnostic or treatment procedure that has not been sufficiently tested without accompanying their communication with the necessary reservations. They should not make such a disclosure to the non-medical public. "
The most famous off-label drug used since the start of this health crisis is that of hydroxychloroquine. Its promotion by Professor Didier Raoult led to a framework for its delivery.
