Forgoing care and drug shortages: Survey reveals worsening health crisis

The drop in purchasing power impacts the health of the French

Several figures show an increase in the budget allocated to health, with sometimes a renunciation of care because of its cost.

• 53% of French people believe that it is still easy to cover all or part of the cost of treatments or medications issued on prescription;
• More than 1/3 of French people have already asked the pharmacist to avoid paying for a consultation with a doctor (39%), while 36% have already given up buying a medication or treatment because it was not reimbursed, or poorly reimbursed (30%). This is because nearly 6 out of 10 French people (59%) feel that their health expenses have actually increased in recent years (compared to 28% who consider them stable, 9% who believe they are decreasing and 4% who have no opinion);
• The symbolic increase in the medical deductible since March 31, when purchasing medication or preparations made by the pharmacist, is considered illegitimate by almost two thirds of French people (61%).

Accessibility of healthcare in France undermined

The French say they have the clear impression that access to care is deteriorating.

• More than 1 in 2 French people (53%) consider it difficult to obtain medical appointments near their home (including 19% “very difficult”), and 62% consider it difficult (including 24% “very difficult”) to obtain them within a time frame that suits their state of health;
• More than 4 out of 10 French people have already given up on going to the doctor because of the difficulty in getting an appointment quickly (44%) or close to home (40%);
• For the youngest (18-24 years old), the pharmacist is the first healthcare professional directly accessible in case of need for immediate advice (67%).

Drug shortage, a challenge for pharmacists

Drug shortages are a growing phenomenon that has not spared our fellow citizens.

• For more than 6 out of 10 French people (63%), the fight against shortages and shortages of certain molecules or medicines appears to be the main challenge that pharmacies must try to meet in the coming years;
• Offering additional services to those already existing in pharmacies constitutes the second challenge for almost 1 in 2 French people (48%).

New pharmacy services still little known

The new services offered by pharmacists are not yet known to many French people:

• Almost all French people (93%) are aware of Covid-19 screening in pharmacies, and 89% know that they can get vaccinated there;
• A small majority of French people are aware of screening for a urinary tract infection (54%) or of the possibility of being prescribed antibiotics in the event of tonsillitis or a urinary tract infection following a screening test (51%);
• The teleconsultation service in pharmacies is known by less than 1 in 2 French people (48%) and only 6% have already used it;
• Health interviews that can be carried out in pharmacies (follow-up interviews for chronic treatment) are only known by almost a third of French people (34%).

“Difficulties in obtaining medical appointments, refusal of care, shortage of medicines, increase in the medical deductible… this study objectively demonstrates the extent to which the health of the French is impacted, both by purchasing power and by accessibility to care. Within the Pharmacie Lafayette brand, we are deeply convinced that the role of the pharmacist, as the first local health relay, must be valued because he can respond to many of these issues.” explains Stéphane Solinski, general manager of Pharmacie Lafayette.