Medicine

Weight loss drug Wegovy may soon be reimbursed in France

Subject to Health Ministry approval the drug could be reimbursed under certain conditions

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

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

Why is there such a row in France over who owns Doliprane?

News of a potential sale of the manufacturer has reignited debates over drug shortages and ‘drug sovereignty’

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Weight loss drug Wegovy to be sold on prescription in France

The somewhat controversial drug will be available on prescription, but not reimbursed

Medicine shortages in France: heavy penalties for 11 laboratories

‘No class of drugs was spared’ from the severe shortages recorded last year, health authorities say

Expired medicine still ‘90% effective’ says new French study

An association said the results pointed to ‘a real environmental, economic and health scandal’, but doctors have warned that people should not take expired medicines

Asthma treatment Ventolin placed on French list for risk of shortages

The medicine is the latest to be added to the list of at-risk drugs

Tramadol: fewer pills in boxes in France in bid to reduce addiction

Number of pills of the painkiller to be at least halved after multiple deaths were linked to the drug

Hospitals, shopping, waste charges: 5 French practical updates

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Wrong medication found in herbal sleeping pills box in France

Thousands of boxes of the over-the-counter remedy have been recalled

French marketing firm to pay out €324m over role in US opioid crisis

The settlement is the first for a marketing company linked to the crisis, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people

What is the hold-up in dealing with medicine shortages in France?

Delays have led to a ‘lack of a roadmap’ making it ‘difficult to make progress’ after years of shortages, says an industry expert

First treatment for skin condition vitiligo to be available in France

The treatment for the auto-immune pigmentation condition is to be released early in a bid to help high-priority patients

Delivery of medicines by drone tested in south-west France

The French-made drone test now shows the ‘potential for medical deliveries’ to people in isolated areas

Alert over allergy risk from antiseptic widely used in France

The French medicines agency warns that in rare cases, the chemical can cause severe reactions

Anti-inflammatory drug recalled in France over dosage labelling error

It means the drug may not be available in pharmacies until the end of October

Some antibiotics may be sold pill by pill due to shortages in France

Plans would see medicine given daily instead of in boxes. The pharmacists’ union says it will be ‘real hassle’ and make record-keeping difficult

16 things you can do at a French pharmacy other than buy aspirin

We look at the services, treatments and advice offered by local pharmacists in France

How does France plan to tackle shortages to ‘more than 3,000 drugs’?

President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to bring back to France the production of certain medicines

How do I dispose of out-of-date medicines in France?

Throwing medicines down the sink or toilet or in the rubbish is discouraged as it can cause pollution

Self-medication shown to be widespread in France posing health risks

Up to a third of patients admit to changing their prescription medication dosage or duration despite the risks involved, a report reveals

France faces shortages of 3,000 types of medicine

French authorities have drawn up a list of essential medicines as one in three people are affected by shortages, including to ‘all types of antibiotics’

How France plans to fix its medicine shortages and the drugs worst hit

A new report found that 37% of people in France who needed prescription medication experienced difficulty in finding it

Supply issues for medicines in France: Thousands of drugs affected

More than 3,500 medicines are experiencing shortages, up from just 43 in 2008, new figures show, including drugs that treat serious conditions

‘Medicines to avoid in 2023’ list published by French medical review

Eighty-eight of the 107 products listed in the annual compilation from specialist journal Prescrire are sold or available for use in France

Paracetamol shortage: France limits sales to two boxes per patient

Brands including Doliprane and Efferalgan are affected. People are urged not to ‘stock up unless you need it immediately’ and to reduce daily doses

French health body takes action to prevent Paracetamol shortage

New rules limit the number of boxes per person bought without a prescription. Authorities say supplies are ‘under tension’

France faces summer paracetamol shortages due to supply delays

The general public are asked to limit their use of the medicine to ‘immediate needs’

France could extend 100% coverage of GP appointments to end of summer

The measure was brought in during the pandemic as téléconsultations soared in popularity

French scientists say new drug may improve life of people with autism

A recent study tested a bromide ion treatment on mice and found it eased signs of the condition. Tests are still in early stages, however

Can I get medication in the UK for a six-month trip to France?

Many Britons with second homes in France are now applying for visas to stay for up to six months. We look at the rules for taking medication across for that amount of time

French pharmacists to offer biosimilar medicines: What does it mean?

How does ‘biosimilar’ differ from ‘generic’ and which medicines are included in the new decree?

Why French pharmacies are running out of Doliprane supplies

The factory which makes the paracetamol-based painkiller is struggling to keep up with orders. The issue should be resolved by June

Organ donation in France: Why it is good to talk about it

Working as an organ donation coordinator is emotionally gruelling but very rewarding, says Samantha Alexander, an organ transplant coordinator in the southern Var department

French high court orders Merck to pay €3.3m to Levothyrox victims

The court found that the lab had committed ‘a fault’ in the final ruling on a case that dates back to 2017

Minister brings back old Levothyrox as crisis grows

The growing crisis over a new formulation for thyroid drug Levothyrox has forced authorities to bring back the old drug pending further investigation.

New France-UK study finds Levothyrox ‘not equivalent’

A new study into the controversial “new formula” of thyroid medication Levothyrox has found that the two formulas are in fact “not equivalent” for all patients, in contrast to previous claims.

Levothyrox controversy: Lyon court wins payout for patients

The manufacturer of thyroid drug Levothyrox, which has been at the centre of controversy since 2017 after patients claimed a new formula did not work, has been ordered to pay €1,000 to more than 3,000 plaintiffs.

New anti-Covid pill approved in France, first delivery due next week

It has been found to be reduce the risk of serious forms of Covid by around 85% and is effective against Omicron

French lab Sanofi found responsible in epilepsy drug court case

Paris court found failures in care and information on the risks of developmental issues in unborn children when Dépakine is taken during pregnancy

French medicines authority warns against some common cold medications

Some of these medicines are vasoconstrictors, and can in rare instances cause strokes, heart attacks and psychiatric issues

‘Medicines to avoid in 2022’ list published by French medical review

The list features common cold and cough items and several medicines still available for complaints such as a sore throat

What are the French equivalents of some common UK medicine brands?

Your French pharmacy may look full of unknown remedies but many are familiar if you just know what to ask for

New antiviral Covid pill to be reviewed by EU medicines agency

Molnupiravir may cut hospitalisations and deaths by half among patients with early virus symptoms. France has ordered 50,000 doses

Boxes of anti-anxiety drug recalled in France over incorrect leaflet

Instructions inside boxes of Alprazolam made by KRKA France laboratory recommend a maximum daily dose that is considerably too high

Cold and flu rising in France: What are some common medicine brands?

The decline of infection control measures is making it easier for diseases to spread. Check our list of French over-the-counter remedies to buy to help you get better

'My experience of being a district nurse in France: C’est différent'

Retired nurse Alice Denot explains how her career took a different turn after she moved to France from the UK

Children in France prescribed too many medicines, says new study

France has one of the highest levels of drug consumption in Europe, study finds, with half of children aged under two taking more than nine medicines per year

France orders 30,000 doses of Nantes lab's Xav-19 Covid treatment

The makers behind the drug say it is more effective than current medicine being used to treat high-risk patients

Covid France: Health pass ‘should only be for vaccinated people’

PCR and blood tests do not provide enough guarantees that someone is immune to the virus, senior medical advisory institution l’Académie Nationale de Médecine has said

French medical academy wants 6 months between Covid jabs for under 55s

The institute recommended extending the current interim period from six weeks to six months to accelerate the vaccination campaign

AstraZeneca France: Vaccine pause ‘catastrophic’ say doctors

Leading doctors in France say the decision is political and could stoke distrust, even as health authorities say there is ‘no reason to be alarmed’ by the jab

French anti-mask doctor suspended for five months

The lung doctor was suspended after refusing to wear a mask when examining patients, in the same week as a controversial French professor was admitted to psychiatric hospital

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

Medicine shortages in France exacerbated by Covid

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

French doctors say ibuprofen is ‘no risk’ to Covid patients

New studies have led French doctors to say that contrary to announcements in March, ibuprofen offers ‘no risk’ to patients with Covid

French neurologist hopeful on early Alzheimer’s diagnosis

A prominent French neurology professor has suggested that a network of “memory centres”, and a new smartphone app, could help with ongoing “hopeful” research into early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Made-in-France Covid vaccine could cost ‘less than €10’

An estimated 460 million doses of the made-in France vaccine could be distributed in Europe and the US. The World Health Organisation does not expect any Covid-19 vaccine to be ready until mid-2021.

A quarter of people in France against Covid vaccine

A poll shows 25% of people in France don’t plan on getting vaccinated against Covid-19, as daily cases continue to reach over 7,000 and 22 schools close over health fears.

French scientists unveil nasal spray 'Covid solution'

Experts say treatment would cost less than €1milion to develop as a complement to vaccination through next phase of testing

Leading French doctor joins call for mandatory indoor masks

A top doctor in France has reiterated calls for masks to be made compulsory in all enclosed public areas, and called the choice not to wear a mask an “uncivil act”.

Controversial prof lambasts French Covid-19 strategy

Infectious disease specialist Didier Raoult criticised the French government and its advisory body le Conseil Scientifique for their handling of the Covid-19 crisis, specifically the lack of Covid-19 tests done in France.

Controversial French prof: ‘I could have halved Covid death’

Controversial French infectious diseases specialist, Professor Didier Raoult, has said that “if people had listened to me, we would have had half the number of deaths from coronavirus”, in a new interview.

France experts: Covid second wave may be ‘bigger than first’

France’s top scientific advisors have repeated their prediction that a second wave of Covid-19 in France is “extremely likely” in autumn and winter this year, and even warned it “could be bigger than the first”.

Paracetamol to be made in France post Covid-19

Following the Covid-19 crisis, France plans to produce more medicines nationally, starting with paracetamol, which French consumers stockpiled at the beginning of lockdown.

Urgent call to catch up on vaccinations in France post-Covid

Thousands of infants and vulnerable adults missed crucial vaccinations the during Covid-19 lockdown in France, according to public health body la Haute Authorité de Santé, which has said that catching up on vaccinations must be a priority now that Covid-19 is under control.

EU launches new travel info site as borders begin to open

A new online tool to help people living in Europe plan summer trips to other European destinations has been launched by the European Commission.

Trial resumes for French slimming drug Mediator

A trial into the deaths of hundreds of people in France suspected to have been caused by weight-loss drug Mediator, has resumed after an 11-week pause due to confinement.

How to get tested for Coronavirus

The official state health emergency has been extended until July 10, plus when and how to get tested for Coronavirus.

French worm blood may save Covid-19 patients' lives

A Paris hospital wants to start testing a substance extracted from worms that may be able to keep dangerously ill Covid-19 patients alive as a last-ditch strategy.

French Medicine Academy: How to make Covid-19 mask

The French National Academy of Medicine, an independent body of leading doctors and scientists which gives health advice to the government, is recommending that everyone now wears a mask when going out - and has given details of how to make one with elastic bands and a paper napkin.

Covid-19 France: Experts defend stance on ibuprofen

French medicine experts have defended France’s cautious position against taking ibuprofen for Covid-19 symptoms, despite some international bodies stating that there is no evidence that it is harmful.

Covid-19: Medicines to avoid, after French man dies

Recommendations have been put out as to medicines to avoid that may worsen Covid-19 symptoms, after a 28-year-old man who had been taking regular ibuprofen died from acute respiratory distress.