Some cough sweets will need prescription

Over-the-counter cough and pain relief remedies will now be prescription-only if they contain drugs derived from opium, such as codeine.

Connexion journalist Connexion journalist

Published Wednesday 26 July 2017 - 15:00 Modified Wednesday 26 July 2017 - 15:00

The change took immediate effect last month. Young people were misusing the drug, with about 50 left seriously ill.

Well-known products such as dry cough pastilles and syrup from Vicks, Drill, Neo-Codion and Humex were included and children’s versions withdrawn.

French fishers blockade new fuel depot as shortage fears mount

Petrol prices continue to rise as hundreds of stations run out of fuel

Le Pen promises ‘mortgage portability’ policy if elected: what exactly is this?

Current homeowners with a mortgage could save hundreds of euros per month… but new buyers see heightened rates

France weather update: highs of up to 35C next week as high-pressure system returns

Lack of rain will lead to worsened drought conditions

‘It’s no shame’: how to handle your child being placed a school year below in France

Jenna Hartzell's daughter was held back a year on arrival from the US, with no warning – experts explain why this happens, and how to help a child catch up

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

Visit these spectacular underground and rock-hewn churches, from Saint-Émilion’s vast monolithic church to a Provence cave sanctuary

How to choose fresh cut flowers and make them last longer

Learn how to condition stems, revive drooping blooms and select the right vase for longer-lasting displays at home

Second home construction banned on Ile d’Yeu in western France

Island sees homes quadruple as population barely changes

Major La Poste outage disrupts letter and parcel services

A computer failure disrupted post offices across France

Protestors on gilets jaunes demonstration

Calls for new ‘gilets jaunes’ protests in October on social media

New round of protests may impact 2027 presidential election

Motorcyclist hospitalised after being struck by lightning in north-eastern France

The man was airlifted to hospital in Reims after the freak accident on road in Marne department

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

'The EU has become stronger as a result of the UK’s exit,' says reader

France outlines ambitious plans to electrify more than 6,000 communes

Phasing out of gas boilers, taking communes off grid – see how residents will be impacted

Senate report backs ending university access for all

The report also recommends a fivefold increase in tuition fees

French wine vintages explained: how to choose a good year

Learn what a wine vintage means, how weather affects grape harvests, and which French wines can improve with age in your cellar

Dozens more local bank branches set to close across France

Around 60 to 90 LCL French branches will shut down gradually, the bank confirmed

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

Now is the time to enjoy Comtesse de Vichy, a spruce-wrapped French cow’s milk cheese

Marine Le Pen speaks at a podium against a dark background in Châlons-en-Champagne, France.

Marine Le Pen outlines ‘national preference’ policies for French housing sector

Far-right candidate wants citizens to have priority access to social housing and to exclude non-citizens from housing benefits

French easyJet pilots postpone strike but flights at risk September 24 and 25

Change follows new round of negotiation over pilot schedules

The Fontaine des Trois Grâces in Bordeaux’s Place de la Bourse, with historic buildings and visitors under a blue sky.

Highs of 35C in south-west France before sharp drop midweek

Country remains mostly dry with temperatures becoming more autumnal

Laundry hangs from windows on a patterned apartment facade in Porto, Portugal.

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Drying outside saves energy - and avoids damp air inside

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le melon?

Discover its origins and when to use it to describe someone with an inflated ego

Meet the producers: Bulldog Bacon and Bangers in the Gers

British-style bacon, sausages, pork pies and Scotch eggs, with delivery across mainland France

Recipe: French onion soup with Comté toasts

Make this classic French onion soup with rich beef stock, white wine, Madeira and golden Comté cheese toasts in this easy recipe for four

France house sale cancelled over undisclosed wind farm project

Sellers claimed not to know of project

Some cough sweets will need prescription

Dozens more local bank branches set to close across France

Chevaline murders: Investigators hope to stage reenactment of 2012 attack with surviving sisters

European Heritage Days 2026: ideas for visits in France

French fishers blockade new fuel depot as shortage fears mount

Le Pen promises ‘mortgage portability’ policy if elected: what exactly is this?

Different ways of using de in French

Chevaline murders: Investigators hope to stage reenactment of 2012 attack with surviving sisters

European Heritage Days 2026: ideas for visits in France

France weather update: highs of up to 35C next week as high-pressure system returns

‘It’s no shame’: how to handle your child being placed a school year below in France

Five incredible French underground churches to explore

How to choose fresh cut flowers and make them last longer

Second home construction banned on Ile d’Yeu in western France

Major La Poste outage disrupts letter and parcel services

Calls for new ‘gilets jaunes’ protests in October on social media

Motorcyclist hospitalised after being struck by lightning in north-eastern France

The UK's Brexit negotiators were arrogant - not Barnier

French government rules out further fuel aid: how much tax is in one litre of fuel?

France fuel crisis: one in ten service stations out of stock; depot blockaded in south

French hunting season begins: can hunters enter your garden?

France outlines ambitious plans to electrify more than 6,000 communes

Senate report backs ending university access for all

French wine vintages explained: how to choose a good year

Dozens more local bank branches set to close across France

Artisan cheese of the month: Comtesse de Vichy, plus an Auvergne speciality stew

UK residents warned over EU pet passports for France travel

French notaires want to reduce taxation on family gifts

France fraud losses hit €1.24bn as ‘fake bank adviser’ scams soar

Marine Le Pen outlines ‘national preference’ policies for French housing sector

French easyJet pilots postpone strike but flights at risk September 24 and 25

Highs of 35C in south-west France before sharp drop midweek

French town's ban on drying laundry outside is nonsense

Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le melon?

Meet the producers: Bulldog Bacon and Bangers in the Gers

Recipe: French onion soup with Comté toasts

France house sale cancelled over undisclosed wind farm project