Condoms will be available free of charge for 18-25 year olds from January

“It’s a small prevention revolution“. It is with these words that Emmanuel Macron qualified his announcement made about condoms. From January 1, 2023, they will be free for 18-25 year olds in pharmacies. An announcement made during a session of the National Refoundation Council (CNR) dedicated to the health of young people in Fontaine-le-Comte near Poitiers (Vienne).

Existing refunds

There are already two brands of condoms partially reimbursed by Social Security since December 10, 2018, upon presentation of a prescription issued by a doctor or midwife. These are the brands “Eden” and “Sortez Couverts!” for boxes of 6, 12 or 24 condoms. They are covered up to 60% by Social Security, the rest often being reimbursed by mutual insurance companies.

The terms of this new device remain to be specified, the only certainty is that a medical prescription will no longer be necessary to access free condoms (reimbursement by Social Security) for 18-25 year olds.

“STIs can be caught at any age”

However, the measurement is “a step in the right direction“according to Pr Eric Caumes, infectious disease specialist and consultant at the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris. “It is a claim that I mentioned in my last book” he explains.

“I did not understand why PrEP, the pre-exposure prophylaxis to be taken before a risky report against HIV – is reimbursed but not condoms“adds the specialist who therefore welcomes the measure, with only one downside, that of the age group. “This is the only criticism I can make: the fact that it does not concern all ages. Because STIs can be caught at any age“recalls the doctor. We can also regret that minors are not concerned, the age of first sexual intercourse is around 17 years old.

Take care of your sexual health

This decision taken by Emmanuel Macron responds precisely to a context of sexually transmitted infections on the rise. Indeed, STI screenings, after a decline due to the pandemic, are on the rise again, recalls Public Health France. As such, free screening without a prescription will be extended to other sexually transmitted infections than HIV for those under 26 years of age.

In addition to expanding free access to emergency contraception for all women, the President of the Republic also intends to tackle other projects, such as vaccination against papillomavirus infections in girls and boys from 13 years old. “I do not exclude that we go towards compulsory vaccination when all this is installed and we have the right recommendations” further specifies the President of the Republic.

Sex education, a subject to work on

Without forgetting sex education, on which “we are not good“according to Emmanuel Macron.”The reality is very far from the theory. We have to train our teachers much better on this subject, we have to raise awareness” hammers the President again.

Finally, remember that the budget bill for Social Security adopted last week makes it possible for everyone to be screened for certain sexually transmitted infections without a prescription. A screening that will even be free for those under 26.