16.7 million condoms distributed free of charge in pharmacies

The 2024 edition of Sidaction ends after three days of information and collection to fight HIV/AIDS. The counter recorded €3,870,829 in pledges this year, a result in balance with 2023. On this occasion, President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the number of free condoms since January 1, 2023.

An alarming epidemiological context

If HIV screening activities have been increasing since 2012, this is also the case for STIs. Other indicators also show an increase in risky behavior:

• Since the CoVid health crisis, the consumption of morning-after pills has almost doubled, from 1.4 million in 2019 to 2.8 million in 2023 (GERS data – The 2023 figure is an extrapolation based on existing data for January-September period);
• Abortions reached record levels in 2022 with 234,000 terminations of pregnancies, particularly among 20-24 year olds. We note that the largest increase is among 20-24 year olds between 2021 and 2022 (DRESS data);
• Female contraception has declined sharply since 2015, with 500,000 fewer women taking contraception (IQVIA, GERS, OPEN LPP’AM data).

Faced with these figures, Emmanuel Macron announced the implementation of free condoms for minors and young people up to 26 years old from January 1, 2023.

16.7 million condoms distributed free to under-26s

Thanks to this prevention measure, a total of nearly 16.7 million condoms have been distributed free of charge in pharmacies.

An anonymous donation of condoms for minors

Concretely, girls or boys under 26 will be able to collect one box of male condoms per day free of charge, from two brands of latex condoms: “Eden” and “Sortez covered”.

The only condition to obtain them is simple: be under 26 years old. A check will actually be carried out by the pharmacist.

The adult must give their Vitale card to the specialist, who, in exchange, will give them a free box of 12 or 24 condoms.

On the other hand, if it is a minor, no verification will be carried out: the patient can present their Vitale card, but this is not obligatory.

The donation of condoms will also remain anonymous – parents will not receive a summary letter or email from Health Insurance.

Another important detail: if the reimbursement of these condoms is indeed 100% covered by Health Insurance, it will not however be possible to choose your brand or range of condom…

This free service was provided for in the Social Security budget for 2024.