Cost reductions for medications planned

Fabrice Camaioni, president of the Fédération des syndicats pharmaceutiques de France (FSPF), mentioned that major cost reductions are expected for medications this year, with the PLFSS aiming for about 3 billion euros in savings. These reductions, especially for older drugs, are said to have a significant impact on the economy.

Rejection of mandatory antibiotic dispensation

The FSPF and other unions opposed Article 28, which would require certain antibiotics to be dispensed at the unit level (DAU). Camaioni noted that senators share this view, arguing the measure would be expensive, time-consuming, ineffective against antibiotic resistance, and harmful to the environment. He also emphasized the importance of following the recommendations of the High Authority for Health (HAS) and improving prescription practices and patient adherence.

Taxation of groupings under discussion

Discussions also focused on Article 10, which proposes a legal status for groupings and a 15% tax on some of their revenues. Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union des syndicats de pharmaciens d’officine (USPO), said the profession supports regulating groupings but believes the tax should not apply equally to all. He suggested targeting only the least responsible groupings and ensuring the tax revenue benefits the pharmacy network.

Protocolized dispensation for medication delisting

Regarding Article 30, which seeks to simplify the removal of medications from the list, the profession supports a protocolized dispensation approach. This would allow medications to stay listed while giving pharmacists a structured way to dispense them and claim reimbursement.