‘I’m not a supermarket’: a French pharmacist shares what surprises Americans about his pharmacy

American visitors and residents in France are often surprised to find that a visit to a French pharmacy involves more than a simple business transaction, according to a French pharmacist.

“The French pharmacy is not just about the products. It’s about all the advice the pharmacist can give,” Michaël Cohen, pharmacist and owner of Pharmacie Bergère in Paris, told The Connexion.

He said American customers usually know exactly which products they want to buy, but are less used to being asked about their needs before making a purchase.

“They go straight to the cosmetics section. They know the brand they want, they know exactly which product they want, and they come to me and buy it,” he said.

“But, for me, the best thing to do is ask them what their problem is.”

He said customers are often surprised when he asks about their concerns before recommending a product.

“Their first reaction is always shock because they’ve rarely seen that before,” he said.

‘I’m not a supermarket’

Mr Cohen believes the difference comes down to how pharmacies operate in the US compared with France.

“When you go to a pharmacy in the US, you have a lot of big pharmacies with everything with the pharmacist behind the counter,” he said. It may be easier for the person to simply choose and buy the product.

“We don’t have the same job. Here, our role is really about giving advice.”

Mr Cohen gave the example of customers asking for paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the US.

Instead of just handing over the medicine, he said he asks why they want it and what symptoms they have.

“Sometimes they take it when they don’t need to, because they have flu symptoms but no fever,” he said.

In such cases he may suggest a different product.

He said pharmacists are there to help people find the most appropriate treatment and not only sell them what they ask for.

“I’m not a supermarket, I’m a pharmacist,” he said.

“I studied for six years. I have the knowledge and skills to help people with their health and their skincare.”

Cheaper products, but are they the right ones?

Mr Cohen said price is another attraction for American visitors, especially those interested in French skincare.

He said some products from brands such as La Roche-Posay can be 30% to 40% cheaper in France than in the US.

However, he believes customers should focus less on a particular brand and more on what they actually need.

“Today, TikTok is the biggest competitor of the pharmacist,” he said.

Customers may arrive asking for a serum or cream they have seen online, he explained, without knowing whether it is suitable for their skin.

“They’ve just seen it in a magazine, but they don’t understand what it is,” he said.

“If they really need it, I give it to them. But if they don’t, I show them other products that are more appropriate for their skin.”

“The advice must be personalised,” he said.