French pharmacists threaten summer of ‘guerilla’ strike action
Protests, closures, and blockades of medicine depots are all on the agenda as anger in the sector rises
The sector is set to face widespread disruption
Sibuet Benjamin / Shutterstock
Pharmacists across France are set to engage in major strike action this summer, making it potentially more difficult to find an open pharmacist.
Strike action from workers at emergency pharmacies (pharmacies de garde) started this week across France and is set to last for at least two weeks.
This means it will coincide with wider action from July 1, when a strike notice covering the wider sector (all pharmacies, not just emergency ones) comes into effect.
Workers are striking over a perceived lack of support from the government for the sector, that has led to hundreds of pharmacies - often privately run in France - closing in recent years due to a lack of funds.
Pharmacist’s unions are saying that the action may last throughout the summer and become continually more disruptive.
“The strike has begun, but I can tell you this: there will be guerrilla warfare all summer long, and even beyond,” said spokesperson for the union de syndicats de pharmaciens d’officine (Uspo) Cyril Colombani to media outlet Actu.
Alongside the closure of pharmacies the unions are threatening blockade of depots delivering medicine, and ‘snail’ operations blocking traffic – similar to the method used by protesting taxi drivers.
The Tour de France will also reportedly be targeted by striking pharmacists.
“All departments are affected and the prefectures will only be notified 24 hours in advance,” of major disruptions and strike action, Mr Colombani added.
This will “‘prevent the authorities from reacting and putting something in place to stop [disruptions].”
On July 1, a major protest will be held by pharmacists in Paris near the health ministry offices.
The last major strike action by pharmacists took place over the 2024 Pentecost weekend.
Our article here explains what to do if you are looking for an open pharmacy and are having difficulty finding one.
450 pharmacies closed in 2024
”Pharmacists have been pushed around by politicians [for too long], and the laboratories are getting rich,” said Mr Colombani.
“The government is destroying France's pharmacy network… For three years, pharmacies have been closing one after another. In 2024 alone, 450 pharmacies have shut their doors,” he added.
Mr Colombani said the closures took place “because the state wants to dip into pharmacists' coffers to compensate for spiralling public spending.”
Elsewhere recent strike action by rail workers was largely quelled as the advance notice required allowed authorities to bring in extra staff.
