80% of pharmacies to be closed: pharmacists angry with the state will close their doors this Saturday in the Alpes-Maritimes

This is not a strike, pharmacists insist, but an "exceptional closure of pharmacies." The nationwide strike is planned for Saturday, August 16. And in the Alpes-Maritimes region, 80% of pharmacies are expected to join the protest, according to the pharmacy unions.

100% in certain sectors

"In some areas, it will even be 100%, like in Mougins or Roquebrune. In Nice, it will also be 100% in several neighborhoods like L'Ariane," explains Cyril Colombani, president of USPO 06, the Union of Pharmacists' Unions.

With the August 15th holiday, "that will be three days without a pharmacy," warns the head of USPO 06. He advises: "Patients should plan ahead for prescription renewals."

On the other hand, for unforeseen medication needs, things are going to get complicated. "Right now, for example, jellyfish burns are averaging around ten a day per pharmacy... Well, they're going to end up in the emergency room and hospitals are worried. It's going to be a dark weekend for access to care," grimaces Cyril Colombani.

In an attempt to avoid the pharmaceutical white zone, Laurent Hottiaux, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, issued an order on August 11 to requisition pharmacies between August 16 and 31.

Reduction in discounts on generic drugs

The pharmacists decided to hold this "curtains down" day because they're really fed up. They're protesting, in particular, the reduction in discounts on generic drugs.

To encourage the sale of generic drugs, which are cheaper than those under patent, pharmaceutical companies offer legally regulated "promotions." Thanks to these discounts, pharmacists buy at lower prices and increase their margins without this impacting the customer's price.

These discounts can currently reach 40% of the price of the generic and are compensated by Social Security, which reimburses at the full price.

But this will no longer be the case from September 1st. The reduction will not exceed 30% until June 2026. And no more than 20% maximum from 2027.

Pharmacists fear mass closures of establishments, resulting in the creation of pharmaceutical deserts.

"The state is abusive"

" The state is mistreating the hands that heal," laments the Côte d'Azur unionist. "In eight years, we've already lost 10% of pharmacies," he swears: from 469 pharmacies to 427 today. And "if the state continues on this path, there will be another 10 to 12% closures within two years," argues Cyril Colombani.

The government hopes to save money on healthcare costs. "For pharmacies, it's madness," says the president of USPO 06. " The state is destroying the territorial network," he concludes.