Pharmacists screen for skin cancer in France

Pharmacists in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France are taking part in an experiment named ScopiPharma, which aims to detect potentially cancerous skin lesions in pharmacies and connect them with specialized medical consultations through tele-expertise. The project is led by the Regional Union of Health Professionals (URPS) Pharmacists in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Léon Bérard reference center for oncology.

Experiment involves trained pharmacists and secure communication

The initiative, backed by the regional health agency and Pierre Fabre laboratories, included 33 pharmacists from four departments over 2025. These pharmacists were part of coordinated practice structures like multidisciplinary health houses or territorial health professional communities. They do not perform routine skin checks but respond to patient concerns or detect lesions during unrelated procedures such as vaccinations or orthopedic treatments.

Process includes imaging and secure transmission to specialists

When a pharmacist identifies a suspicious lesion, they confirm the patient's eligibility with a treating physician or a professional from the coordinated structure. Using a dermatoscope, the pharmacist captures images of the lesion and sends them securely to an oncology center. The center then decides whether to request a biopsy or excision, and the results are sent to the treating physician and pharmacist through secure health messaging. The pharmacist does not provide a diagnosis or inform the patient directly.

Pharmacists undergo training and receive compensation

Participating pharmacists had to complete a rigorous training program, including a final test on 40 clinical cases. They were also given financial support for a professional dermatoscope, and each tele-expertise was compensated at 15 euros. The experiment’s findings will be reviewed scientifically and may lead to a formalized healthcare mission. Researchers are comparing the success rate of lesion detection in pharmacies with that of general practice clinics.

Calls for caution align with the experiment’s goals

In 2025, scientific societies, patient advocacy groups, and the National Order of Pharmacists urged caution about dermatological tele-expertise in pharmacies, emphasizing the need for proper medical oversight and integration into the healthcare system. These concerns aligned with the goals of the ScopiPharma experiment, reinforcing the belief that the approach could be valid and effective.