Medical care

‘Medicines to avoid in 2025’ list published by French medical review

Of 106 medicines, 88 are still available to buy in France

What is being done to tackle France’s shortage of dermatologists?

The issue is part of a nationwide problem of medical deserts and a shortage of new doctors

French town opens medical centre for those without a GP

The centre takes patients with or without appointments, amid the growing problem of 'medical deserts'

news

Sister to sue French hospitals for twin’s death after dog bite

The Irish woman alleges staff misdiagnosed septic shock and gave her sister paracetamol not antibiotics

Doctor struck off for misconduct continued practising for five years

The GP deliberately took jobs in areas that lacked doctors, and falsified documents

Tax cuts and foreign doctors: Macron's wishlist to revive France

He also spoke - without giving much detail - of plans to lower food prices, boost the national birth rate… and of Gérard Depardieu

Long-stay visa in France: when does an obligatory medical apply?

We look at who must undergo these checks and what is involved

France’s first larynx transplant: Woman talks after 23 years’ silence

The transplant is the first of its kind in France, in an operation that lasted 27 hours and took a team of 12 surgeons from across the country

France approves new treatment against endometrial cancer

The drug Jemperli has been authorised in France before being approved in Europe. This cancer affects around 10,000 women nationwide every year

French village strives to attract doctor with video pitch

Commune fears joining the growing number of medical deserts

Levothyrox thyroid drug: Old formula available in France until 2025

Patients have welcomed the decision but the manufacturer says doctors must help patients find alternatives

France: Using teddy bears to ease children's hospital fears

The Teddy Bear Hospital project was launched in 2000 in Germany, and has spread to several countries including France

Tips on what to do if you fall ill while on holiday in France

Whether it is an emergency or finding the nearest pharmacy, we provide the numbers to call and websites to visit

French villages fight doctor shortage with medical bus

The medical bus visits one of eight participating communes and is aimed at fighting the area’s problem of ‘medical deserts’

France considers charging patients for no-shows at the doctor

Doctors in France say they lose two hours per week due to patients failing to show up for appointments without cancelling ahead of time

Levothyrox France: National medicines agency investigated

The controversy over the ‘new formula’ of the drug has been ongoing since 2017

Why GPs in France are threatening to strike in December

Doctors are calling for more resources and acknowledgement of the difficulties of caring for an increasing number of ageing patients with long-term conditions

Reducing waste: French app lists unsold cosmetics at up to 50% off

Parapharmacy items with short sell-by dates can also be found, this comes as study reveals four tonnes of products are thrown away each day

Common antibiotic joins list of 277 drugs in short supply in France

Stocks of amoxicillin are under strain as seasonal infections increase. See here for more about the official list of medicines suffering from shortages

Medical testing laboratories go on three-day strike in France

It means that no tests can be carried out in nine out of every 10 French laboratories

France to offer free medical check-ups at age 25, 45 and 65

The appointments will be tailored to each life stage and are part of the new ‘prevention era’, the health minister has said

French startup creates app to show personalised medicine side effects

The app, from a Bordeaux doctor-entrepreneur team, aims to ‘enable everyone to access reliable and personalised information on medicines’

French woman declared dead after 40-minutes of heart massage wakes up

She woke inside a body bag on the way to hospital

Transplant patient fighting for France to pay €1m US hospital bill

The 34-year-old says she received a transplant abroad only after exhausting every option in France

Transplant patient fighting for France to pay €1m US hospital bill

The 34-year-old says she received a transplant abroad only after exhausting every option in France

Eight facts to understand France’s issue of ‘medical deserts’

A lack of GPs and other healthcare specialists in many – mainly rural – areas of France is a key point in this year’s presidential election

French Levothyrox case forced to open in concert hall

A Lyon court hearing into the ongoing case of controversial thyroid medication Levothyrox has opened in a concert hall after the city’s Palais de Justice proved too small to host the 4,113 plaintiffs present.

French Levothyrox inquiry now includes manslaughter

The French inquiry into the controversial new formula of thyroid drug Levothyrox has been widened to include the charge of “involuntary homicide”, or manslaughter, after the death of a woman.

France looks to offer routine lung cancer screening to at-risk groups

Health authorities have welcomed the idea of a pilot scheme with one lung specialist calling it an ‘historic’ health decision. The cancer kills 33,000 people per year in France

New digital space rolled out in France to better manage health data

The service offers the possibility to create a profile linked to your medical history and to store prescriptions, x-rays and other documents

France lockdown: Can I go to the dentist?

You can go to the dentist, as long as you have an appointment and a travel exemption form.

France lockdown: Can I go to UK for hospital appointment?

Travel for medical reasons is allowed during France’s lockdown

How can I find an English-speaking GP near me in France?

In the French healthcare system, you choose a general practice doctor as your médecin traitant and appointments can be booked on the widely used Doctolib site

Can the 90-day stay limit in France be extended for medical reasons?

Staying in France past the 90-day limit is possible with an application to the local prefecture and presenting various documents. We explain

European medicines regulator approves two new Covid treatments

Ronapreve and Regkirona are monoclonal antibody medicines that can be used to treat infected patients who do not yet require oxygen but who are at increased risk from the virus

Alternative medicine warning following two deaths in France

The Interior Ministry is also looking closely at practitioners spreading Covid misinformation

Eye care reforms in France reduce waiting times to see specialists

The average waiting time to see an eye doctor in France has been cut by more than two weeks in the past two years

New American Covid pill not yet submitted for European approval

The pill has shown in trials that it can dramatically reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death but there is still a way to go before it can be authorised for use in France

Home visit doctors: SOS Médecins start 24-hour strike today in France

The at-home medical service is protesting at low rates paid to its doctors. We explain how this service works in France and when residents might use it

France medicine shortage: Which products are affected and why?

Certain commonly used medicines have been growing more scarce for the past decade, and some experts suggest that the shortages could be down to pharmaceutical company tactics

France requires increased stock of vital medicines to avoid shortages

French manufacturers must now build up two months’ supplies of ‘major therapeutic interest’ medicines, or face fines – as a shortage could be life-threatening to patients

‘Long Covid’: France considers how to help long-term cases

Many patients who caught Covid-19 months ago are still reporting long-term effects and symptoms. France is now turning its attention to the issue

Centre-left party in France: ‘No vaccine, no reimbursement’

Centre-left party PRG has called for people in France who refuse a Covid vaccine to have their medical reimbursement rights revoked. We discuss

France releases list of 93 dangerous medicines to avoid

An annual list of medicines which are ‘more dangerous than useful’ has been released. People taking them are advised to seek replacements

France to address medicine shortage as situation worsens

As the medication shortage worsens in France, the Senate and MPs are debating how to address it - as a consumer association condemns the 'inaction'

High-risk patients in France hit by vital medicine shortages

Many vital treatments are in short supply across Europe, with shortages in France are six times higher this year than 2016

French specialist: Covid vaccine will not eradicate virus

A high profile French vaccination specialist has predicted that France will begin Covid-19 jabs in early 2021, but explained why the virus will not disappear completely

France performs its first lung transplant for Covid patient

A patient with severe respiratory problems linked to Covid has become the first to receive a double lung transplant

Covid warning: France must not repeat errors of first wave

France must “learn the right lessons” from the first lockdown as it prepares for deconfinement on December 1, to avoid a potential “third wave”, doctors have said

Medicine shortages in France exacerbated by Covid

Experts have reported significant shortages of medicines that are vital for some patients in French laboratories

My experience of ‘medical deserts’ in rural France

Nick Inman's explores the on-going problem with 'medical desert' areas in France

French 'top-up' health insurance explained

No ‘top-up’ health cover can be costly if you are unlucky. Fortunately, a new law will make it easier from next month to change policies

Is your French Top Up health insurance up for renewal?

Sponsored article: Prior to your health insurance contract in France renewing for a further year always take the time to compare prices and to look for better cover. Lawrence and Melanie, from Swiss Life agency, Bordeaux, explain...

France curfew: More details on plans to fight ‘second wave’

As 54 departments are set to impose curfews from this weekend, the government’s anti-Covid plans also include €115m for the culture sector

€5m grant given to Lille ‘miracle molecule’ Covid trial

The grant will allow trials to continue on the “miracle drug”, whose name has been “neither confirmed nor denied”.

20,000 volunteer for Covid-19 vaccine trials in France

The volunteer campaign by Inserm has been hailed as a success one week after it launched with trials expected to begin before the end of the year as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise.

‘Miracle molecule’ effective against Covid found in Lille

A “miracle molecule” that appears to be effective against the virus that causes Covid-19, with almost no side effects, has been discovered at the Institut Pasteur in Lille.

French Covid test with 30 minute result time approved

A new Covid-19 test that takes just half an hour to return results and is 96% accurate has been authorised to be rolled out at a hospital in France, at a time when laboratories are reporting severe test result backlogs.

South France hospitals prepare for second Covid wave

Hospitals in four “red zone” departments in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are preparing for a second wave, as numbers rise in the region.

French expert: Covid-19 jab possible before end of year

A vaccine against Covid-19 could be available in France "by the end of the year", a research director at research centre Inserm has said, with development going "much faster than anticipated".

French expert: UK vaccine ‘hopeful’ but unlikely before 2021

A medical research expert in France has said that despite the recently-announced successes of British and Chinese Covid-19 vaccination trials, a safe vaccine is still unlikely to be available before at least 2021.

Over 2,500 coronavirus cases in 24 hours in France

Figures from yesterday (August 12) show the highest number of Covid-19 cases recorded in 24 hours in France since May, as the health minister says those returning from holiday should get tested.

France robot technology gives oncologists a helping hand

World-leading robot technology developed in France is helping physicians here to treat and operate on liver cancer patients.

How long will free face masks be available in France?

People living in France who suffer from chronic long-term illnesses that put them “at very high risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19” currently have the right to free face masks. But for how much longer?

EU to authorise drug remdesivir for severe Covid-19 cases

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that the drug remdesivir be “conditionally” sold for the treatment of severe Covid-19 in the EU, making it the first Covid-19 drug set to be authorised in Europe.

New French study on Covid-19 drug ‘provides hope’

A French study on a drug named “anakinra” has shown “encouraging results” and “provides hope” in treating patients with severe forms of Covid-19.

'Ségur de la santé' bids to reform French healthcare

Consultation process follows promise made by Emmanuel Macron at the height of the coronavirus crisis

103 year old woman beats virus in France

A 103-year-old woman received a guard of honour and applause as she left hospital after recovering from Covid-19.

‘Months’ to know if deconfinement a success in France

It may be weeks or months until we know if early deconfinement in France has been a success, medical experts have said, with the health minister not ruling out a possible second confinement if necessary.

French army confirms 70kg order of Covid-19 drug

The French army has confirmed it has bought 70kg of the drug chloroquine - which early medical trials have suggested may be effective against Covid-19 - as “a precaution”.

French urged to seek medical care despite confinement

The public should continue to seek medical advice for non-Covid-19-related issues despite confinement, the French health minister has said, as specialists report a 60% drop in appointments even for urgent complaints.

‘France legalises Covid-19 euthanasia’ rumour debunked

Rumours that the French government had issued a decree allowing doctors to euthanise elderly Covid-19 patients using a powerful sedative are false, medical experts have confirmed.

English-speaking doctors sought in southwest France

Area with large anglophone community turns to Connexion for help filling two GPs posts after years of struggle to fill the spots with French doctors

‘Flu epidemic declared across whole of France

All areas of France are now in a state of ‘flu epidemic, including Normandy, which until now had escaped the worst of the illness.

French midwife with tales of the unexpected to tell

Sylvie Coché estimates she has helped deliver more than 10,000 babies in her career. There’s no wonder she had a few stories to tell in her book

Medical care

‘Medicines to avoid in 2025’ list published by French medical review

What is being done to tackle France’s shortage of dermatologists?

French town opens medical centre for those without a GP

Sister to sue French hospitals for twin’s death after dog bite

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‘Medicines to avoid in 2025’ list published by French medical review

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Learning French: the origins and meaning of bon gré mal gré

Doctor struck off for misconduct continued practising for five years

Tax cuts and foreign doctors: Macron's wishlist to revive France

Long-stay visa in France: when does an obligatory medical apply?

France’s first larynx transplant: Woman talks after 23 years’ silence

France approves new treatment against endometrial cancer

French village strives to attract doctor with video pitch

Levothyrox thyroid drug: Old formula available in France until 2025

France: Using teddy bears to ease children's hospital fears

Tips on what to do if you fall ill while on holiday in France

French villages fight doctor shortage with medical bus

A decade before France has more doctors, admits health minister

Prescriptions of mind-altering drugs for children soar in France

Don’t use diabetic drug for weight loss, warns French health agency

France considers charging patients for no-shows at the doctor

How does France’s doctor shortage compare to other countries?

Complementary services now in France’s online health space

Can you consult a medical specialist without seeing your GP in France?

What are the costs of hospital stays in France?

French hospitals find fun way to ease children's operation stress

Levothyrox France: National medicines agency investigated

Why GPs in France are threatening to strike in December

Reducing waste: French app lists unsold cosmetics at up to 50% off

Common antibiotic joins list of 277 drugs in short supply in France

Medical testing laboratories go on three-day strike in France

France to offer free medical check-ups at age 25, 45 and 65

French startup creates app to show personalised medicine side effects

French woman declared dead after 40-minutes of heart massage wakes up

Transplant patient fighting for France to pay €1m US hospital bill

Transplant patient fighting for France to pay €1m US hospital bill

Eight facts to understand France’s issue of ‘medical deserts’

French Levothyrox case forced to open in concert hall

French Levothyrox inquiry now includes manslaughter

France looks to offer routine lung cancer screening to at-risk groups

New digital space rolled out in France to better manage health data

France lockdown: Can I go to the dentist?

France lockdown: Can I go to UK for hospital appointment?

How can I find an English-speaking GP near me in France?

Can the 90-day stay limit in France be extended for medical reasons?

European medicines regulator approves two new Covid treatments

Alternative medicine warning following two deaths in France

Eye care reforms in France reduce waiting times to see specialists

New American Covid pill not yet submitted for European approval

Home visit doctors: SOS Médecins start 24-hour strike today in France

France medicine shortage: Which products are affected and why?

France requires increased stock of vital medicines to avoid shortages

‘Long Covid’: France considers how to help long-term cases

Centre-left party in France: ‘No vaccine, no reimbursement’

France releases list of 93 dangerous medicines to avoid

France to address medicine shortage as situation worsens

High-risk patients in France hit by vital medicine shortages

French specialist: Covid vaccine will not eradicate virus

France performs its first lung transplant for Covid patient

Covid warning: France must not repeat errors of first wave

Medicine shortages in France exacerbated by Covid

My experience of ‘medical deserts’ in rural France

French 'top-up' health insurance explained

Is your French Top Up health insurance up for renewal?

France curfew: More details on plans to fight ‘second wave’

€5m grant given to Lille ‘miracle molecule’ Covid trial

20,000 volunteer for Covid-19 vaccine trials in France

‘Miracle molecule’ effective against Covid found in Lille

French Covid test with 30 minute result time approved

South France hospitals prepare for second Covid wave

French expert: Covid-19 jab possible before end of year

French expert: UK vaccine ‘hopeful’ but unlikely before 2021

Over 2,500 coronavirus cases in 24 hours in France

France robot technology gives oncologists a helping hand