Pharmacies at risk of bankruptcy
The health minister has launched an investigation into the decline of the sector
A QUARTER of French pharmacies face a “strong risk” of going bankrupt this year, according to business insurance and information experts Coface.
The assessment comes as pharmacies are reportedly finding it harder to make profits due to several years of government policies aimed at cutting health system expenses.
A total of 126 closed last year, up from 101 in 2009.
There is no shortage yet – figures from the Ordre National des Pharmaciens show there were more than 22,000 pharmacies in 2009 – but the trend is getting worse.
Bankruptcies increased threefold from 2006-2010 and certain areas are especially affected, notably Paris and its suburbs, Seine-Maritime, Finistère and Haute-Garonne.
According to Le Parisien pharmacists are demanding the government come up with an emergency plan to help what they say is a “vital service for communities” and Health Minister Xavier Bertrand has asked social affairs inspectorate Igas to investigate.
Contributing factors include lower margins on generic medicines, more competition for “parapharmacy” goods (toothpaste, plasters, cotton wool etc) and government cuts on health reimbursements to limit social security debt.
Numbers of students opting for pharmacy studies are also in decline.
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