Self-medication shown to be widespread in France posing health risks Up to a third of patients admit to changing their prescription medication dosage or duration despite the risks involved, a report reveals
France faces shortages of 3,000 types of medicine French authorities have drawn up a list of essential medicines as one in three people are affected by shortages, including to ‘all types of antibiotics’
France extends therapeutic cannabis trials for an extra year Patients with certain severe illnesses can continue to access cannabis-based medicinal products with a prescription until March 2024 How France plans to fix its medicine shortages and the drugs worst hit What is changing in relation to glasses prescriptions in France French people travel to Italy to buy medicines amid shortages
‘Asking for HRT in France made me feel like a stroppy child’ Writer Gillian Harvey talks to readers about their experiences as research suggests the number of women taking hormone replacement therapy in France has dropped 80% over 20 years
French chain of opticians launches online eye exams The scheme uses online consultation booths in select stores in areas of France where it is difficult to get an appointment with an eye doctor
French high court orders Merck to pay €3.3m to Levothyrox victims The court found that the lab had committed ‘a fault’ in the final ruling on a case that dates back to 2017
French Levothyrox case forced to open in concert hall A Lyon court hearing into the ongoing case of controversial thyroid medication Levothyrox has opened in a concert hall after the city’s Palais de Justice proved too small to host the 4,113 plaintiffs present.
New anti-Covid pill arrives in France: What is it and who can have it? Pharmacies are set to receive the first doses of Paxlovid this week, with the drug available only on GP prescription
France medicine shortage: Which products are affected and why? Certain commonly used medicines have been growing more scarce for the past decade, and some experts suggest that the shortages could be down to pharmaceutical company tactics
France requires increased stock of vital medicines to avoid shortages French manufacturers must now build up two months’ supplies of ‘major therapeutic interest’ medicines, or face fines – as a shortage could be life-threatening to patients
France releases list of 93 dangerous medicines to avoid An annual list of medicines which are ‘more dangerous than useful’ has been released. People taking them are advised to seek replacements
Medicine shortages in France exacerbated by Covid Experts have reported significant shortages of medicines that are vital for some patients in French laboratories
Covid-19 testing in France: Your FAQs Testing for Covid-19 is not systematic in France, even if you have symptoms. So who can get a test, where, and how does it work? We translate answers from senior biologist, Dr François Blanchecotte. New French test checks if medicines worsen Covid-19 Covid-19: Medicines to avoid, after French man dies French lab offers ‘millions of doses’ of Covid-19 drug
Branded medicines now only reimbursed at generic price Patients in France who refuse generic versions of their medication will now be reimbursed less, under new rules that came into force on January 1, which are expected to save the State €100 million per year. French pharmacies to dispense without prescription Pharmacists 'could dispense some medicines' France sets out key healthcare reforms for 2022 law French doctors call for ‘action plan’ on scarce drugs Report: Six month wait for specialist care in France
Report: Opticians to aid France eye doctor shortage Opticians in France could soon be permitted to prescribe glasses and contact lenses independently, after an official watchdog found the public is experiencing significant delays for ophthalmologist appointments.
CBD shops open in Paris as use spreads across France The first cannabis “coffee shops” are opening in the Paris region as the legal use of CBD (cannabidiol) spreads across the country.
How long is a prescription for medicine valid for? How long does an ordonnance (medical prescription) remain valid for? D.D.