From Thursday, August 14th until Monday, August 18th, a large number of pharmacies, including some on-call, closed their doors. This move, which disrupts normal service, is directly linked to the reform of the cap on discounts granted on generic drugs.
A reform deemed threatening for rural pharmacies
As of September 1, discounts paid to pharmacies by wholesalers will no longer be able to exceed 30% for generic drugs, before falling to 20% in 2027. Unions denounce a measure that would severely weaken rural pharmacies, to the point that nearly half of them could disappear within the next five years. As a result, access to local healthcare could be drastically reduced for many residents.
How to get medication in an emergency?
The official website for on-call pharmacies was already announcing disruptions before the weekend. Some pharmacies were requisitioned, but not all offer third-party payment, which sometimes requires upfront payments. To locate the nearest on-call pharmacy, it is advisable to consult www.3237.fr or dial 3237 (€0,35/min). Before traveling, it's best to check that the establishment is open. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the emergency medical services (15) remain the number to contact.
