Mass French pharmacy shutdown this Saturday: how to get medicine
Day of protest comes between August 15 bank holiday and a Sunday when many outlets will also be closed
Up to one third of pharmacies are said to be at risk of permanent closure following changes to drug discounts
Sander van der Werf/Shutterstock
The vast majority of pharmacies in France are set to be shut on Saturday (August 16) as unions back a mass one-day closure.
Around 90% of pharmacies could be shut in some areas, including the south-east (Provence-Alpes-C么te-d鈥橝zur region) and the C么te-d鈥橭r, Sa么ne-et-Loire, and Gers departments.
Closure rates will be high across the country, with around 85% of all pharmacies expected to remain shut. It comes amid wider strike action in the sector.
The action, which falls between a bank holiday and a Sunday when services are already restricted, has been called for by the pharmacy union USPO and is backed by several major groups in the sector.
How to find medicine this weekend?
Saturday鈥檚 action has been called in particular over changes that would see laboratories reduce discounts on generic drugs purchased by pharmacies.
鈥淲e are not on strike [on Saturday]; we are simply closed to consider what comes next, possible closures, and future layoffs,鈥� said USPO President Pierre-Olivier Variot.
The fact that the action is not a strike with workers walking out from an expected shift, but a choice by owners to close their premises means that pharmacies cannot be forced to remain open under minimum operation rules in place during strike action in other sectors.
Similarly, as the law states pharmacies are free to open or close on Saturdays as they wish (most open for the economic advantages), they cannot be forced to provide services on this day.
It also means there is no defined list of which establishments will be open.
Therefore, it is advised to stock up on any medicine you may need in advance.
Bear in mind that Friday (August 15) is a public holiday in France and several pharmacies may also be closed, so it may be best to do this today.
Most pharmacies are also shut on Sundays (with only emergency pharmacies usually open), so ensure you have enough to cover you for several days.
In terms of a sudden need for medicine, you can search for a pharmacy that has remained open (only likely in larger population areas) or check for an emergency pharmacy (pharmacie de garde) using our article linked above.
Changes said to threaten one third of pharmacies with closure
A decree published on August 4 in France鈥檚 Journal Officiel is behind the protest action.
Previously, laboratories could offer pharmacies discounts of up to 40% on generic drugs, providing pharmacies with strong profit margins on resale to the public.
The full purchase cost of the medicines for pharmacies are also covered by social security, providing a further economic boost.
However, from September 1, the maximum discount is set to drop to 30% until it is assessed again in June 2026, and could potentially drop to 20% by 2027.
These reforms are part of overarching plans by the government to save up to 鈧�1.7 billion from healthcare spending (amid a wider push for 鈧�40 billion in savings from the upcoming budget).
However, pharmacy owners say the discounts cover a large portion of their overall profit margin and without them, pharmacies may not stay afloat.
Up to 6,000 pharmacies in France 鈥� around 33% 鈥� could be forced to close if discounts drop.
Smaller, rural pharmacies in particular would be hardest-hit, as they are already struggling with rising costs and recruitment.
鈥淕eneric savings for community pharmacists aren't important; they're vital. You can't just announce outright that your funding is being cut; it's not possible,鈥� said President of the Calvados Union des pharmaciens d鈥檕fficine Marc Sartorio.
鈥淭he pharmaceutical network will be weakened. The quality of care will suffer; there will no longer be the network that currently covers France perfectly,鈥� he added.
More action is expected in next few months
Discontent in the sector is only set to rise following Saturday鈥檚 closures, and more action is possible.
Emergency pharmacists will continue their prolonged action with a number of closures in the coming months.
The 鈥榠ndefinite鈥� strike currently taking place will continue, with several pharmacies de garde closing or providing a reduced service.
A wider closure of the majority of these emergency establishments is planned for September 18, and then from September 27 onwards closures every Saturday.
It could make finding medicine at the weekends particularly difficult.
