The Competition Authority opens a new round in the match between it and the government. In a new opinion, it insists on opening the sale of non-prescription drugs in supermarkets and drugstores. The authority explains that it is in favor of “a controlled opening of the retail distribution of non-reimbursable drugs”. This will “instill a little more competition in the distribution of the drug”, she justifies.
“The rise of self-medicationand the development of drug sales on the Internet require changing the lines, “defends Bruno Lasserre, president of the Competition Authority, quoted by Le Monde.fr. Moving the lines would require a overhaul of a system current deemed too opaque for patients, according to the Authority, the price differences being too large between pharmacies.
To those who raise fears of overconsumption of drugs purchased outside pharmacies, the Authority replies: “Consumers do not buy more drugs because they have easier access to them, but because they are sick”.
The match continues
The standoff between the Competition Authority and the government began last July. The Competition Authority had cracked a favorable opinion on the partial opening of the pharmacy monopoly concerning the sale of drugs for the benefit of supermarkets and consumers. She already explained that this measure “would allow consumers to benefit from more attractive prices for their purchases of self-medication”.
The Ministry of Health responded by ruling out any sale of over-the-counter drugsin supermarkets. “The hypothesis of a sale of drugs, even not subject to compulsory prescription, in supermarkets, is not considered by the government,” retorted Minister Marisol Touraine.
This government refusal has obviously not succeeded in whistling the end of recess. Who from the Ministry or Authority will give in first? The recent authorization of the sale of pregnancy tests in supermarkets allows one to prejudge the outcome of the debate.
