Luxembourg has tightened rules on the distribution of medicines
Allison Saeng, Unsplash
The Luxembourg Ministry of Health announced a change in the rules for the sale of pseudoephedrine-based medicines. From 1 December 2024, all such drugs will be available only with a doctor's prescription. The decision was made after recommendations of a commission of experts who assessed the potential health risks for patients.
Preparations such as Vasocedine Pseudoephedrine®, Sinutab Forte® and Sinutab® now require a mandatory prescription. Previously, some preparations containing this substance were sold in pharmacies without a prescription.
The reason for the tightening was a safety analysis of pseudoephedrine, which revealed a risk of rare but serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. The Ministry stressed that control through prescriptions helps to minimise these risks, as doctors can inform patients about the potential dangers.
Over the past five years, pharmacies in Luxembourg have purchased more than 100,000 packs of pseudoephedrine preparations. Sales peaked in 2022 (29,112 packs), but by 2024 the volumes have decreased to 20,890. This may indicate a growing focus on safety and an increase in the use of alternative medicines.
Luxembourg has joined countries such as Belgium and France, where the free sale of such drugs is already prohibited. The Ministry considers this to be a justified step that enhances patient safety.
In February 2024, information on the risks of pseudoephedrine was circulated to health professionals. In December of the same year, a supplementary circular was issued explaining the new regulations and emphasising possible complications.
