From 2023, pharmacies will provide free condoms to French people under the age of 26. This measure announced by Emmanuel Macron aims to fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Sexually transmitted infections are transmitted during sexual intercourse, vaginal, anal or oral, with or without penetration.
- The condom is still unknown. Only 21% of minors and 29% of 18-24 year olds are aware of it.
- Last September, the government announced free hormonal contraception for women up to 25 years old.
Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) “are on the rise among young people”, indicated the President of the Republic. As a reminder, the most frequent are bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydiosis and mycoplasma infection), those caused by parasites such as trichomoniasis and other viral pathologies, such as hepatitis B, genital herpes, HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Élysée, STIs, in particular gonococcal and chlamydia, are on the increase in men aged between 15 and 29 (+ 45% between 2017 and 2019).
Free condoms: “a small revolution in prevention”
“This is why we are embarking on a small prevention revolution: for all young people aged 18 to 25, in 2023, condoms will be free in pharmacies.” This was announced by Emmanuel Macron during a National Refoundation Council devoted to health. He then confirmed the implementation of this measure from January 1 on Twitter and the fact that it will eventually apply to minors as well. “Free condoms for young people is based on other measures: free emergency contraception for all women in pharmacies, free screening without a prescription extended to other sexually transmitted infections than HIV for those under 26 years”, added the Head of State.
Since December 2018, certain condoms have been reimbursed by Social Security to fight against AIDS and STDs. The two brands of male condoms in question are: “Eden” and “Get covered!”. To date, they are covered up to 60%, on the prescription of a doctor or a midwife, by Medicare. As for the remaining 40%, they are covered by complementary health insurance for those who have it.
“Towards compulsory vaccination” against the papillomavirus?
During his visit to Vienne, the President of the Republic pointed out that“we had a real subject on sexual health” young people. “We are not good at this subject. The reality is very, very far from the theory. We must retrain our teachers much better on this subject, we must raise awareness”, did he declare. He then mentioned the vaccination of adolescents against papillomavirus infections. “It’s a huge job of information. We have to get him back to school, we have to multiply and we’re going to make this investment. (…) I don’t rule out moving towards compulsory vaccination when all this will be installed and we will have the right recommendations”, specified Emmanuel Macron.
