Strike of 18th September: 98% of Pharmacies Closed… What is this Parallel Movement among Pharmacists?

Anger: After actions this summer, pharmacists are not giving up and are closing their pharmacies this Thursday 18th September. A mobilization, unrelated to the inter-union demonstrations, to denounce the attacks against their sector

The essential

The mobilization of pharmacists promises to be followed this Thursday, September 18.
Professionals denounce the reduction in the ceiling for commercial discounts on generic medicines, but also a reduction in the price of several medicines which must be recorded by the Economic Committee for Health Products (CEPS).
“Most of us are in dramatic financial situations”, laments Cynthia Guichard, administrative advisor to the general union of pharmacists of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Stock up on paracetamol and physiological serum : thursday, pharmacies should lower the curtain in France for a day of mobilization which promises to be very popular. In a press release published Tuesday, the FSPF (Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France) and the USPO (Union of Community Pharmacists’ Unions) announced 98% of closures among the 1,400 professionals surveyed. And half of them plan to participate in a local or regional event.

The date from 18th September was organised several weeks ago, unrelated to the processions planned by the inter-union. Since this summer, pharmacists are up in arms against the reduction in the ceiling on commercial discounts on generic medicines. At the beginning of August, a decree published in the Official Journal set the discount ceilings at 30% for generic medicines, instead of 40%. A measure that came into force on September 1. The text also provides for a gradual reduction to a threshold of 20% in 2027. “The punishment is done in several installments”, squeaks Cynthia Guichard, administrative advisor to the general union of pharmacists Bouches-du-rhône.

“Unjustified attacks”

But professionals are also faced with a new “provocation” denounced by the USPO in a press release: the Economic Committee for Health Products (CEPS), responsible in particular for setting the prices of medicines, must meet on Thursday and note the reduction of the price of around ten molecules. “This is another huge slap in the face”, deplores Cynthia Guichard, denouncing “unjustified attacks” which could cost “40 million euros in margins” for French pharmacies. Out of 20,000 pharmacies in France, 8,000 structures are threatened, including 6,000 whose disappearance will impact the entire municipality, says the Marseille pharmacist. Most of us are in dramatic financial situations. The honor of being a committed healthcare professional pays neither salaries nor taxes.

Professionals are awaiting a withdrawal of the decree, a freeze on drug price reductions and a declaration from the government in their favor. “We are waiting for a strong sign of recognition and for the executive to commit to stopping systematically attacking us”, insists Cynthia Guichard. The attacks we constantly suffer are indecent. in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur 95% of professionals envisage closed pharmacies, “both small neighborhood pharmacies and the enormous structures in the region”, she underlines. A rally is planned for 2 p.m. in front of the prefecture. According to France 3 Grand-Est 90% of pharmacies will be closed in the Ardennes, Aube, Marne and Haute-Marne. The Telegram reports 90% of pharmacies closed in Morbihan.

Some pharmacies will nevertheless be forced to open. Indeed, if the number of structures closed during the day undermines the continuity of care, which is announced on Thursday, the ARS can then requisition pharmacies according to article L.3131-8 of the Public Health Code.