2. The need to trace pharmaceutical products for economic reasons

The revenue generated by healthcare establishments depends on the medical activity carried out. Tarification à l'activité (T2A) (activity-based pricing) replaces the dotation globale des établissements de santé. Homogeneous groups of hospital stays (GHS) are now described, and funding is based on the number of procedures performed.

However, certain drugs and implantable medical devices (e.g. orthopedic prostheses, pacemakers) are reimbursed by compulsory health insurance schemes in addition to the GHS; these are referred to as non-GHS. To be reimbursed by the hospital, they must be fully traceable, from prescription to administration, and their proper use must be assessed in line with official indications and recommendations. A multi-year contract is signed between each healthcare establishment and the regional hospitalization agency on which the establishment depends,...