Daily Reports
Massive Pharmacist Strike in France Over Financial, Supply Issues
French pharmacists are gearing up for a massive strike on May 30, an action jointly spearheaded by the Union of Community Pharmacists' Unions (USPO) and the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF). Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the USPO, has highlighted the various challenges faced by the profession, such as inflation, drug shortages, and the potential deregulation of the pharmacy network.
As part of the demonstration, pharmacists are called to keep their doors shut and participate in regional protests in the morning followed by a larger gathering in Paris in the afternoon. The mobilization is expected to be substantial, with estimates suggesting that up to 90% of pharmacies will remain closed in several departments.
A significant issue fueling the strike is the worsening drug shortages. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has reported a +30.9% increase in shortages this year alone, with nearly 4,925 reports of shortages in January 2024. Variot emphasizes that essential medications like cortisone and Doliprane have been particularly scarce, posing a severe threat to public health.
Besides supply issues, pharmacists are also concerned about the potential deregulation allowing online sales of medicines. 'Medicines will become consumer goods, and that's dangerous,' warns Variot. The FSPF and USPO believe that such deregulation would undermine the role of community pharmacists and compromise medication safety.
The Ministry of Health has expressed its disapproval of the strike, calling it unnecessary. A spokesperson explained that pharmacists' remuneration has increased by 20% since 2019, reaching 7.3 billion euros in 2023. The ministry also mentioned that negotiations have been ongoing since December to propose a 10% increase in fees for medical procedures, including vaccinations conducted by pharmacists.
The proposed changes are currently being discussed and will be debated further on June 5. While the ministry pushes for these adjustments, pharmacists continue to demand more immediate and significant measures to address their financial and supply-related hurdles.
- This week's strike is just the latest action led by pharmaceutical professionals to address growing concerns. With inflation hitting hard since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, many pharmacies have struggled to stay afloat. January alone saw the closure of 36 pharmacies due to economic difficulties.
- The FSPF has pointed out that, if sufficient financial adjustments are not made, the sector could face up to 25,000 job losses. Moreover, the long-awaited reform for the sixth year of pharmacy studies – looked forward to by the community for the last eight years – is seen as a vital step in bolstering the workforce. The reform is expected to facilitate the deployment of students to assist in pharmacies across France.
- Pharmacists are also wary of rumors suggesting the deregulation of the pharmacy network to allow online sales of medicines. This move could drastically change the landscape of how medication is dispensed, a perspective strongly opposed by professional bodies due to safety concerns.
