Pharmacies in France: what they offer and how to find one
There are around 20,000 across the country
Pharmacies play a central role in healthcare in France
Sibuet Benjamin / Shutterstock
Pharmacies in France are easily accessible, with most towns having at least one.
There are almost 20,000 pharmacies across the country and you can spot them by the flashing green cross high on the wall outside.
Ordinary retail pharmacies are known as pharmacies de ville or d’officine and you will also find pharmacies attached to hospitals and clinics.
Pharmacies play a central role in healthcare and whether you have moved to France or are just visiting, there are many ways they can assist you beyond simply dispensing medication.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications
French pharmacies sell three main categories of products:
Prescription-only drugs: including certain cold remedies
Non-prescription drugs kept behind the counter: including aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol
Over-the-counter medications available on open shelves
As a general rule pharmacy medicines are issued for a month at a time, apart from drugs available in three-month formats for certain long-term illnesses.
Vaccinations, health consultations and mushroom identification
Pharmacists in France are increasingly taking on more healthcare responsibilities to reduce the strain on doctors, especially in rural areas.
Many now offer additional services including:
Vaccinations: flu jabs, as well as vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, and hepatitis
Direct prescriptions: antibiotics for certain common conditions
Health consultations: trials are underway to allow pharmacists to provide free private consultations for minor ailments such as sore throats, minor burns, or tick bites
Mushroom identification: they will tell you if what you have picked is poisonous!
Emergency pharmacy services
If you need medicine outside regular hours, pharmacies de garde (duty pharmacies) provide emergency services.
In larger cities, pharmacies may be open continuously, while in rural areas, pharmacies rotate out-of-hours services and may offer more limited opening times.
You can find your nearest pharmacie de garde by looking in pharmacy windows for information, calling 3237 (€0.35/min) or checking online at 3237.fr.
Pharmacies offering herbal remedies and more
In addition to conventional medications, some pharmacies, known as pharmacies herboristerie, specialise in herbal remedies.
You will also come across parapharmacies which sell non-medical products like vitamins, personal hygiene items, cosmetics and hair products.
Telemedicine and online services
Many pharmacies in France now offer online ordering and home delivery.
Though prescription medications cannot be sold online, you can buy other non-prescription items through approved online pharmacies.
A growing number of pharmacies are also equipped with telemedicine cabins, where you can connect with a doctor remotely, making healthcare more accessible in areas with limited access to GPs.
Renewing prescriptions and managing chronic conditions
Pharmacists in France can now renew prescriptions for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, reducing the need for frequent doctor appointments.
If you regularly visit a pharmacist for prescription renewals, you can designate them as your pharmacien correspondant, who will work directly with your primary care doctor.
Merging of pharmacies and parapharmacies
With the rise of online competition, some French pharmacies are merging with parapharmacies, offering a wider range of products more like the American drugstore model.
This trend helps smaller pharmacies remain competitive while expanding their services to include ranges such as well-being, hygiene and baby products.
