PARIS, France – In response to the alarming rise in addiction cases tied to the powerful opioid painkiller Tramadol, France has taken decisive action to limit the potential for abuse. The number of pills in a box of Tramadol has been reduced from 30 to a maximum of 15, following recommendations from the country’s national medicine safety body.
The move comes as concerns over addiction to prescription opioids continue to grow, with France experiencing a significant number of cases linked to Tramadol specifically. With the smaller boxes already hitting the shelves of pharmacies across the country, the aim is to minimize the risk of patients developing dependency on the highly addictive medication.
According to Philippe Besset, President of the French pharmacists union, it is crucial to address pain effectively, but the use of opioids like Tramadol should be limited to short-term and essential situations. The decision to cut the number of pills per box stems from the recognition of the serious side effects and risks associated with prolonged opioid use.
Tramadol, known for its potency among prescribed opioids, has been at the center of addiction concerns not only in France but also within the larger context of Europe and the United States. In France alone, over 200 cases of addiction have been directly linked to Tramadol, resulting in tragic outcomes such as life-threatening convulsions and multiple deaths.
Dr. Philippe Vela, Medical Director of the French Medicines Agency, highlights the dangers of over-prescription of painkillers, emphasizing the potential for patients to develop dependence even when their pain has subsided. By reducing the number of pills in each box, healthcare professionals aim to better monitor patients’ usage and prevent unnecessary long-term reliance on Tramadol.
The initiative to overhaul Tramadol packaging underscores the growing awareness of the risks associated with opioid medications and the need for careful prescribing practices. With the new packaging now in circulation, the focus is on safeguarding patients from the harms of opioid misuse and ensuring responsible pain management practices are upheld.