Pharmacists across France are calling for a national day of strike action at the end of May in protest against a shortage of medicine and economic issues affecting the profession.
The Union des syndicats de pharmaciens d'officine (USPO) is calling for all participating pharmacies to close.
The day chosen is May 30 but on-call staff are also calling for a strike over the weekend from May 18 to 20.
The USPO has launched an online petition for pharmacists to share with their patients, to raise awareness of the issues and gather support for the strike demands. Pharmacists are also invited to register their support online by filling in a USPO form.
On its website, the USPO states: “After medical deserts, pharmaceutical deserts? More than one pharmacy has closed every day since the start of the year in our country.
“We need the support of patients everywhere to say no to drug shortages, say no to the closure of pharmacies, say no to the entry of financial groups into pharmacies, and say no to online drug sales platforms and sales in supermarkets.”
Local elected representatives are also being urged to get behind the cause, with pharmacists saying that their role is essential to local communities and healthcare access in all regions, especially in rural areas.
