Pharmacy sector faces economic decline

The USPO, the French union representing pharmacists, is urging for a swift response to the worsening financial state of the pharmacy sector, which is expected to face further reductions in profit margins. The union is pushing for a new remuneration model, with details still being negotiated.

Annex 4 aims to reform pharmacy pay

Annex 4 is intended to establish a new remuneration model for pharmacies, reducing their reliance on the volume of medications dispensed and ensuring long-term sustainability. The USPO has requested an immediate financial contribution to offset current losses, even before the full model is finalized.

Indexing and fees under discussion

The USPO is seeking to tie pharmacy remuneration to inflation, to account for rising costs like wages. The union also wants to adjust fees, particularly the "fee in the box," which currently plays a significant role in their income. This would help reduce the sector's dependence on this single source of revenue.

Annex 3 focuses on new health missions

Annex 3 is advancing the implementation of new health-related tasks for pharmacists, such as diabetes screening, hypertension monitoring, and pharmaceutical interventions. While the diabetes screening proposal is nearly finalized, disagreements remain about the scope of hypertension-related duties.

Implementation of annex 3 requires clarity

The USPO is waiting for the High Authority of Health to approve key aspects of the diabetes screening program before negotiating payment terms. For hypertension, the union wants pharmacists to be able to act early if they suspect high blood pressure. The remuneration for these tasks must reflect the number of measurements and the protocols used.