Bailiffs, notaries, lawyers, regulated professions are in the government’s sights and it is now the turn of pharmacists. The General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), in its latest report denounces the “disproportionate” margins of pharmacies on drugs.
In this report obtained by Les Echos, two categories of drugs are concerned: those for which the prescription is optional but reimbursable (Doliprane, Spasfon, Aspegic …) and medications not reimbursed (Nurofen, Humex, Fervex …). For the first category, the price is set by the State but pharmacists can negotiate their margin with laboratories. For the second category, the pharmacist sets the price he wants.
In March 2012, an investigation by the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir had already pinned pharmacies, affirming for example that the price of vitamin Upsa Aspirin could vary between 1.30 and 4.95 euros depending on the pharmacy, i.e. a gap of one to four.
On sale in supermarkets?
The IGF therefore recommends putting an end to this monopoly by betting on the game of competition and thus lowering prices. Ultimately, the Minister of the Economy Arnaud Montebourg wishes in particular to increase the purchasing power of the French.
The distributor Leclerc, who has long expressed its desire to enter this segment, promises a drop of 25 to 30% in prices. According to Les Echos, the report notes that this prospect “does not exclude the public authorities from maintaining their requirement for the intervention of a qualified professional” in these businesses.
The pharmacists denounce in spite of everything the dangers that the sale of certain drugs in supermarkets, whether in terms of traceability and monitoring of side effects, or drug risk associations made by consumers.
And you, are you in favor of the sale of certain drugs in supermarkets? We talk about it on the forum!
