title: [Prescribing medication in 2013: legal aspects].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the legal framework of medicine prescription in France in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the assistance of lawyer and forensic pathologist, consultation (legifrance.gouv.fr), analysis, summary of French laws and rules surrounding drugs prescriptions to humans for medical purpose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Free medicine prescription is an essential feature of a doctor's action. To prescribe involve his responsibility at 3 levels: deontological, civilian and penal. Aim of the rules of medicine prescription is to preserve patient's safety and health. Doctors are encouraged to refer to recommendations and peer-reviewed publication every time the prescriptions go out of the case planned by law.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge and respect of medicine prescription legal rules is essential for a good quality practice. Medical societies have a major role to improve medicine use among practitioners.
authors.affiliation: UMR 7268, ADES (Anthropologie bio-culturelle, droit, éthique et santé), université Aix-Marseille, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France; Service de médecine légale droit de la santé, hôpital de la Timone, AP-HM, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berland-Benhaïm
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karsenty
authors.forename: M-D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Piercecchi-Marti
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D028701:Patient Rights
keywords: Drugs; Effet indésirable; Law; Loi; Medicine; Médicament; Prescription; Side effect