The pharmacy in France

The doctor writes a paper or electronic prescription (ordonnance, e-prescription) submitted to any pharmacy in France, and the pharmacy inserts the Vitale card so that a percentage of the medicine's price is reimbursed directly (tiers payant) in many cases, and you pay the rest (or the mutuelle pays it). Medicines are classified by taux de remboursement: 100 percent for essential medicines for chronic diseases, 65 percent for useful medicines, 30 percent for less useful medicines, and 15 percent for some, and no reimbursement for others.

• And a small franchise (about 50 cents per box) is paid.
• Generics (médicaments génériques) are cheaper and give the same result, so ask the pharmacist for them.
• Repeating the prescription without the doctor's permission is not allowed except renewable chronic prescriptions (renouvelable).
• And some strong medicines (such as medical narcotics and tranquillisers) are dispensed only with a special prescription of a set duration.
• And beware of forged prescriptions since they are a crime.

Sold without a prescription are painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin), antihistamines and medicines for colds, throat, heartburn, diarrhoea and vitamins.

• Some are on open shelves for the customer (médication officinale) and some behind the counter.
• The pharmacist gives free advice on small symptoms, and asks about your age, medicines, allergies and pregnancy, and recommends what suits you or refers you to the doctor.
• Do not buy medicines with the same active ingredient in more than one box (such as cold medicines all containing paracetamol) since the dose increases.
• Compare prices since they are free and vary between pharmacies, and licensed online pharmacies (carrying a green logo) sell.
• Do not buy from unlicensed sites since medicines may be fake.
• And read the notice, the leaflet, and follow the dose.

Pharmacists can give vaccinations: seasonal flu, Covid, tetanus and others after training, and some are reimbursed.

• And they perform quick tests (angine and TROD) and blood pressure measurement and sugar checks, and prescribe some medicines (such as oral contraceptives and treatment of simple urinary infection) in trial areas.
• Contraception d'urgence (the morning-after pill) is free without a prescription for minors and free for all women in pharmacies and its price reimbursed.
• And a test de grossesse is sold.
• And for newborns and children there is advice, milk and equipment.
• The pharmacy provides a bilan de médication for the elderly.
• And for travel medicines, vaccinations and documents are provided.
• Ask about other pharmacie d'officine services.
• And some pharmacies offer home delivery for chronic patients.

Follow the dose and duration on the box or the prescription and do not stop the antibiotic before it ends even if you improve.

• Tell the pharmacist and doctor everything you take of medicines, herbs and supplements, and of your allergies, and pregnancy or breastfeeding, since some medicines interact or harm.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not use an expired medicine (date de péremption).
• Store medicines away from children in a cool and dry place.
• Return unused medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal via Cyclamed.
• And for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children consult the doctor before any medicine.
• And if a severe allergic reaction appears (facial swelling or difficulty breathing) call 15 at once.
• And in fasting and dose adjustments consult the doctor and pharmacist in advance.
• And if you suspect poisoning call the poison control centre on 01 40 05 48 48 (Paris) or 15.

Pharmacies usually work from eight or nine in the morning to seven in the evening Monday to Saturday, and some close at noon or open on Sunday.

• For night need or Sunday and holidays a pharmacie de garde is available in rotation in every area, and you find the nearest: search on 3237 (the national number and its message) or the monpharmacien-idf site or ask a closed pharmacy and you find on its door the duty notice, or call the police (17) who refer you.
• And you may pay an extra duty fee (taxe de garde) at night.
• For serious cases do not go to the pharmacy but call 15.
• And if you need an urgent medicine and have no prescription the pharmacist may give you a dépannage, a box for a chronic disease in a case of necessity.
• And always carry your medicine list and allergies and the Vitale card.
• And do not be shy to ask, since the pharmacist is bound by professional confidentiality.

What is a pharmacie de garde?