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Local France
4 hours ago
- Local France
French pharmacies to close on Saturday in dispute over pricing
French pharmacists' unions have called for nationwide mobilisation on Saturday, in response to a government decree limiting how much pharmacists can discount generic medications. As a result, thousands of pharmacies across France could be closed on Saturday. In some areas, up to 90 percent of pharmacies could be closed, namely in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, as well as the Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire and Gers départements, according to a prediction from the head of the USPO pharmacist union, Pierre-Olivier Variot. Variot told local news outlet France Bleu , "We are not on strike. We will be closed to consider what to do next, and whether there will be closures and redundancies." Advertisement Instead, the pharmacies will be having 'an exceptional closure', according to the USPO flyer . Meanwhile many pharmacies will be closed or operating with reduced hours on Friday, due to the Assumption bank holiday, you can check online to find your nearest 'Pharmacie de garde'. READ MORE: What's open and what's closed in France on August 15th What is the government decree related to discounts? The decree, which was published on August 4th, stands to decrease the size of the discount that drug manufacturers allow pharmacists to apply to generic drugs. Historically, these legally regulated discounts were created to promote the wider distribution of generic drugs. Currently, manufacturers can allow pharmacists to mark down generic drugs by up to 40 percent. However, this will drop down to 30 percent starting September 1st. In 2027, it will decrease again to 20 percent. For pharmacists, the decrease in discount would affect their profit margins, as the system allowed them to take home a portion of the drug price, thanks to Social Security reimbursing the drug at its full price. Pharmacists fear that the change could force one in three pharmacies (or 6,000 in total) to close, particularly smaller, rural locations. Why is the government changing the discount rules? The change is part of the government's plan to cut healthcare spending by €1.7 billion in 2025. As part of that, the government hoped to cut at least €500 million in spending on medications via negotiated price reductions with manufacturers, BFMTV reported. Will there be more mobilisation? Unions had been anticipating the government's announcement. In July, two other unions, the FSPF and the UNPF, which also represent pharmacists, along with the USPO, called for an 'indefinite strike by on-call ( garde ) staff starting on September 1st. Unions have also called for another day of pharmacy closures on September 18th, and then continuous closures every Saturday beginning on September 27th, Ouest France reported.
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
Where in the EU does drowning claim more lives?
Summer is the peak season for swimming, and unfortunately, also for drowning incidents. Across Europe and the world, drowning is one of the ten leading causes of mortality for children and young people aged one to 24 years. In 2022, 4,810 people died due to drowning and submersion in the European Union, according to Eurostat. This figure represents 194 fewer deaths than in 2021, a decrease of 3.9%. The highest number of such deaths was reported in France, where 784 died such a death, followed by Germany (542), Poland (535), and Romania (472). Among adults, half of all drowning deaths happen at sea, whereas one-third of drowning deaths among children occur in private pools. The French government's website indicates that the highest number of fatal drownings occur in the sea, followed by rivers, private pools, and other bodies of water. The lowest numbers were seen in Luxembourg (1), Malta (3), and Cyprus (13). As in previous years, more men than women died by drowning across all EU countries. A 2024 study indicated that belonging to minority ethnic or migrant groups is a risk factor for drowning. Socioeconomic and cultural factors were recognised as key contributors to this disparity. The report also found that knowing how to swim does not necessarily reduce a child's risk of drowning. Prevention of drowning fatalities According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is a preventable cause of premature death. Besides teaching basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills to school-age children, the WHO recommends providing safe places away from water for preschool children, installing barriers to control access to water, training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation, and enforcing the use of life jackets in maritime transport.
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
France recalls soft cheeses after two die in food poisoning outbreak
France has issued a nationwide recall on several types of cheese after two people died from bacterial infections. The recall applies to soft cheeses from the brand Chavegrand, such as brie and camembert, that are sold in supermarkets. Twenty-one people ages 34 to 95 have fallen ill with listeriosis, according to the French public health agency. Two people have died. Health officials said they have established "a possible link between these cases of listeriosis and the consumption of pasteurised milk cheeses produced by the Chavegrand company". Listeriosis is a rare infection that people usually get by eating food contaminated with the bacteria listeria. It's unusual for listeria to be found in pasteurised cheeses, but it is possible because it is so widespread in the environment, the health agency said. Most people who are infected will have no or mild food poisoning symptoms, such as a fever, aches and pains, diarrhoea, and chills. But in some cases, listeriosis can cause life-threatening illness. Pregnant women, babies, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. French health officials urged people not to eat the recalled cheeses and to monitor their health closely if they have eaten them recently. Listeriosis symptoms can begin up to eight weeks after someone eats contaminated food. 'Anyone who has consumed [these cheeses] and experiences a fever, whether isolated or accompanied by headaches and body aches, should consult their doctor and inform them of their use,' the French health authority said.
