Covid Measures Vanished
- Following the repeal of exceptional measures against COVID-19 in June 2021, France has implemented changes affecting pharmacies and their role in combating the virus.
- COVID-19 antigen tests are no longer free for patients who previously received them without a prescription.
- Philippe Besset, president of the Fédération des syndicats pharmaceutiques de France (FSPF), stated, « Les pharmaciens pourront bien évidemment continuer à les faire, avec un tarif qui devra respecter...
France Adjusts COVID-19 Measures: What It Means for Pharmacies
Table of Contents
- France Adjusts COVID-19 Measures: What It Means for Pharmacies
- France’s Updated COVID-19 Measures: A Pharmacy Guide
- COVID-19 Testing in French Pharmacies: What’s Changed?
- Are COVID-19 tests still free in French pharmacies?
- Who now has to pay for COVID-19 antigen tests at French pharmacies?
- Can I still get a free COVID-19 test at a pharmacy if my doctor prescribes it?
- What did Philippe Besset say about the pricing of COVID-19 tests in pharmacies?
- Is the free distribution of tests to other professionals still ongoing?
- Vaccination Protocols in French Pharmacies
- Other Notable Changes in Pharmacy Practices in France
- Measures Remaining in Effect
- Summary of Key Changes in French Pharmacies
- COVID-19 Testing in French Pharmacies: What’s Changed?
Following the repeal of exceptional measures against COVID-19 in June 2021, France has implemented changes affecting pharmacies and their role in combating the virus. As of March 1st, several key policies have been updated.
End of Free COVID-19 Antigen Tests for Some
COVID-19 antigen tests are no longer free for patients who previously received them without a prescription. This includes individuals 65 years and older, minors, healthcare professionals, and staff in healthcare facilities. However, tests prescribed by a doctor remain reimbursable.
Philippe Besset, president of the Fédération des syndicats pharmaceutiques de France (FSPF), stated, « Les pharmaciens pourront bien évidemment continuer à les faire, avec un tarif qui devra respecter le principe de tact et mesure »
(Pharmacists will of course be able to continue to do them, with a price that must respect the principle of tact and measurement).
The free distribution of tests to othre healthcare professionals, home care service employees, and national education staff has also ended.
Changes to COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Protocols
Several other measures related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination have been removed:
- The authorization for off-site sample collection for testing (barnums) has been revoked.
- For pharmacy staff,training in sample collection for tests can no longer be provided by another already-trained professional.
- Students who have completed their first year of study and pharmacy technicians are no longer authorized to perform COVID-19 test sampling under the supervision of a pharmacist.
- The provision of a COVID-19 self-test is no longer accompanied by the delivery of a specific document.
- Online sales of self-tests by pharmacies are no longer prohibited.
- Specific remuneration related to COVID-19 screening and vaccination has been removed. The payment for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in pharmacies will now be 7.50 euros, aligning with other annual vaccinations.
- Pharmacies no longer control vaccination certificates issued abroad.
Other Notable Changes in Pharmacy Practices
Among other changes, pharmacy managers can no longer require the wearing of masks. Dispensing Paxlovid is no longer conditional on a positive test result. Furthermore, the exceptional dispensing of medication needed for medical abortions is no longer part of the exceptional measures against COVID-19 but has entered into common law.Pharmacists can perform this service without noting “exceptional dispensing” on the prescription. pulse oximeters are no longer covered by health insurance for medical oxygen.
Remaining Measures in Place
Some measures remain in effect. Pharmacies retain the ability to provide free surgical or FFP2 masks (not from the national stock) to patients with COVID-19 or vulnerable individuals, upon presentation of proof. Additionally, pharmacies can still supply COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare facilities and liberal healthcare professionals. Certain provisions,such as allowing pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines,have already been integrated into common law for several months.
France’s Updated COVID-19 Measures: A Pharmacy Guide
france has adjusted its COVID-19 measures, substantially impacting teh role of pharmacies. This Q&A guide breaks down these changes, offering clarity for both residents and visitors. Understanding these policies ensures you stay informed about accessing tests,vaccinations,and other healthcare services.
COVID-19 Testing in French Pharmacies: What’s Changed?
Are COVID-19 tests still free in French pharmacies?
No, not for everyone. As of March 1st, free COVID-19 antigen tests are no longer available without a prescription for certain groups who previously received them at no cost.
Who now has to pay for COVID-19 antigen tests at French pharmacies?
The change affects:
Individuals 65 years and older
Minors
Healthcare professionals
Staff in healthcare facilities
Can I still get a free COVID-19 test at a pharmacy if my doctor prescribes it?
Yes, tests prescribed by a doctor (“tests prescrits par un docteur“) remain reimbursable.
What did Philippe Besset say about the pricing of COVID-19 tests in pharmacies?
Philippe Besset, president of the Fédération des syndicats pharmaceutiques de France (FSPF), stated that pharmacists can continue to administer the tests, but the price must respect “le principe de tact et mesure” (the principle of tact and measurement). This implies a reasonable and moderate pricing approach.
Is the free distribution of tests to other professionals still ongoing?
No, the free distribution of tests to other healthcare professionals, home care service employees, and national education staff has also ended (“the free distribution of tests to othre healthcare professionals, home care service employees, and national education staff has also ended.“).
Vaccination Protocols in French Pharmacies
What are the recent changes to COVID-19 vaccination protocols in pharmacies?
Several changes have been implemented:
The specific remuneration related to COVID-19 screening and vaccination has been removed.
The payment for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in pharmacies is now aligned with other annual vaccinations, set at 7.50 euros.
Pharmacies no longer control vaccination certificates issued abroad.
Are pharmacies still involved in supplying COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes, pharmacies can still supply COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare facilities and liberal healthcare professionals. (“Additionally, pharmacies can still supply COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare facilities and liberal healthcare professionals.“)
Can pharmacy technicians administer COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes, this provision has already been integrated into common law for several months. So, pharmacy technicians can administer COVID-19 vaccines. (“Certain provisions,such as allowing pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines,have already been integrated into common law for several months.“)
Other Notable Changes in Pharmacy Practices in France
Are masks still required in French pharmacies?
No, pharmacy managers can no longer require the wearing of masks. (“Among other changes, pharmacy managers can no longer require the wearing of masks.“)
Do I need a positive COVID-19 test to get paxlovid from a pharmacy now?
No, dispensing Paxlovid is no longer conditional on a positive test result. (“Dispensing Paxlovid is no longer conditional on a positive test result.“)
Will I need a special note on my prescription for medication needed for medical abortions?
“Furthermore,the extraordinary dispensing of medication needed for medical abortions is no longer part of the exceptional measures against COVID-19 but has entered into common law.Pharmacists can perform this service without noting “exceptional dispensing” on the prescription.“
Are pulse oximeters still covered by health insurance for medical oxygen?
No, pulse oximeters are no longer covered by health insurance for medical oxygen. (“pulse oximeters are no longer covered by health insurance for medical oxygen.“)
Measures Remaining in Effect
Can pharmacies still provide free masks to patients with COVID-19?
Yes, pharmacies retain the ability to provide free surgical or FFP2 masks (not from the national stock) to patients with COVID-19 or vulnerable individuals upon presentation of proof.(“Pharmacies retain the ability to provide free surgical or FFP2 masks (not from the national stock) to patients with COVID-19 or vulnerable individuals, upon presentation of proof.*”)
Summary of Key Changes in French Pharmacies
| Measure | Status |
| :———————————— | :—————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Free COVID-19 Antigen Tests | No longer free for individuals 65+, minors, healthcare professionals, and staff in healthcare facilities without prescription; tests prescribed by doctor reimbursable |
| Off-Site Sample Collection | No longer authorized |
| Training for Sample Collection | Must be provided by qualified professional |
| Supervised Test Sampling | Students and pharmacy technicians no longer allowed to perform COVID-19 test sampling under supervision of a pharmacist |
| Delivery of COVID-19 Self-Test | no longer accompanied by a specific document |
| Online Sales of Self-Tests | No longer prohibited |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Remuneration | Payment aligned with annual vaccinations (7.50 euros) |
| Control of Vaccination Certificates | Pharmacies no longer control vaccination certificates issued abroad |
| Mask Requirement | No longer mandatory for pharmacy managers to require |
| Paxlovid Dispensing | No longer conditional on a positive test result |
| Medical Abortion Medication Dispensing| Entered into common law; no “exceptional dispensing” note needed on prescription |
| Pulse Oximeter Coverage | No longer covered by health insurance for medical oxygen |
| Free Masks | Pharmacies can provide free surgical or FFP2 masks upon proof for those with COVID-19 |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Supply | Pharmacies can supply vaccines to healthcare facilities and professionals |