Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France Signs New Pricing Conditions with Health Insurance
The Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF) has announced new pricing conditions with Health Insurance, following significant mobilization and a strike in May. The new agreements include fee increases aimed at securing the operations of pharmacy companies and providing crucial support to local pharmacies.
Beginning this year and continuing into the next, increases will be seen in dispensing fees, on-call fees, and on-call payments. Additionally, a subsidy of up to 20,000 euros will be provided to pharmacies in financial difficulty. Despite these new measures, the FSPF acknowledges that the future of the pharmacy sector remains uncertain. A negotiation meeting with the National Health Insurance Fund (Cnam) is scheduled for mid-2026, with an aim to secure ongoing resources for the pharmacy network. The FSPF also advocates for annual negotiations moving forward.
New Regulatory Framework and Biosimilar Medicines
The FSPF has praised the commitment from the Minister Delegate in charge of Health, Frédéric Valletoux, who has promised to publish a decree granting pharmacists the same margin for biosimilar medicines as for original medicines. This new framework will enable pharmacists to negotiate purchase prices with laboratories, similar to the process for generic medicines. Until now, community pharmacists have experienced financial losses when substituting biological medicines with cheaper biosimilars. FSPF President Philippe Besset stated that this new regulation will significantly improve the economic situation, allowing pharmacies to fully engage in substitution and save money for health insurance.
However, not all unions are in agreement. The Union of Community Pharmacists' Unions (Uspo) has refused to sign the current agreement. Uspo President Pierre-Olivier Variot stated that the elements provided are still insufficient to guarantee the salvation of the pharmacy network. He highlighted the disparity between pharmacists' fees and those of doctors, noting that while doctors' fees have seen a 20% increase, pharmacists' fees have not. He argued that pharmacists see four times the number of patients that doctors do, further emphasizing the need for increased compensation.
- The FSPF's commitment to the new pricing conditions marks a significant step in addressing the financial challenges faced by pharmacies. By advocating for annual negotiations and ensuring pharmacists receive fair margins for biosimilars, the FSPF hopes to create a more sustainable future for the pharmacy sector.
- Despite the developments, the Uspo's refusal to sign highlights ongoing concerns within the industry. The disparity in fee increases between pharmacists and doctors remains a contentious issue that requires further negotiation and advocacy.
