French retailer pushes for OTC medication access

Leclerc, a major French retail chain, has started a public campaign to argue that making over-the-counter (OTC) medications more accessible should be a priority in France. The campaign highlights rising healthcare costs and how some citizens are avoiding treatment due to financial strain.

Leclerc cites study on skipped purchases

In a recent television and social media ad, Leclerc claimed that 6 out of 10 French people have skipped buying OTC medications because of financial constraints. This figure is based on an April 2023 Ifop study commissioned by Biogaran, a pharmaceutical company.

Legal distinction limits OTC sales

The issue revolves around French law, which distinguishes between the right to dispense OTC medications and the right to sell them. Currently, only pharmacies are legally allowed to sell these medications, a rule Leclerc has long challenged.

Leclerc seeks to expand health product sales

In the summer of 2026, Leclerc launched a campaign to demand the right to sell self-tests for conditions like urinary tract infections, cholesterol, and allergies in its stores. The move aims to improve consumer purchasing power, though pharmacist unions see it as part of a broader effort to open the health products market to large retailers.

France has low OTC medication prices

Luc Besançon, the general delegate of NèreS, a professional association representing OTC medication producers, stated that France is the second-cheapest country in Europe for OTC medications, with an average price of 3.99 euros per box. The Netherlands is the only European country with lower prices, at 3.78 euros.

Most OTC purchases are state-reimbursed

Besançon noted that more than half of OTC medication purchases in France are for drugs that are reimbursed by the state. These medications have regulated prices, meaning they are sold at the same cost in all pharmacies. He expressed doubt that Leclerc could offer these products at different prices.

Healthcare complexity, not cost, is main barrier

An annual study by NèreS on the health of the French population found that the primary reason patients forgo treatment is the complexity of the healthcare system and difficulty in accessing specialists. Over 55% of French people believe the system is too complex, while economic reasons account for less than 20% of cases.