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Shortage

Which supermarket foods are running low due to French farmer protest?

Shops and restaurants face delivery delays in some areas

Shortages of 4,000 medicines in France; what risk for this winter?

Drugs affected include antibiotics and some painkillers

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

news

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

Two-thirds of French pharmacies understaffed

Despite increasing the number of university places to study pharmacy, there is still a shortfall of 15,000 workers

Can a dentist in France refuse to take a patient in an emergency?

Many parts of France are currently suffering from a shortage of dentists. We look at the options if you require emergency treatment

Leaks mean one-in-five litres of water in France is wasted, says study

The amount lost is the equivalent of one billion m3 of water per year, the equivalent of the consumption of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nice

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

Two-thirds of French groundwater is still below normal levels

Recent rain has been absorbed by the soil and not had an impact on groundwater levels, a government minister explained

France’s medical deserts ‘pushing more GPs to turn away new patients’

Nearly four-in-five independent GPs in France said there were not enough fellow doctors in their area

This is how the government wants you to save water this summer

From taking shorter showers to collecting rainwater, France has issued advice on how people should reduce their water consumption

Help to renovate French home undermined by lack of certified builders

Figures suggest less than 5% of the building firms listed in France have the necessary paperwork to carry out grant-approved work

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’

What is being done about dentist shortages in France?

Much has been made of doctor shortages in France, but steps have also been taken to address difficulties finding a dentist

What is the latest with France’s petrol and diesel shortages?

All oil refineries are now unblocked but shortages persist in the region around Paris and to the south-west of the French capital

Unions say French ‘fuel shortages will intensify’. Are they right?

Fuel workers have warned drivers to fill up as refinery strikes continue. We look at where shortages are and at what level

French petrol stations see shortages as pension protests continue

But the French Union of Petroleum Industries said there was enough fuel in reserve and that the situation was not being helped by panic buying

Seven questions about ‘medical deserts’ in France

The term is becoming more common amid GP complaints of having to carry out too many ‘useless tasks’. We answer key questions and look at what the government is doing to help

Thursday’s French pension strike: alert over fuel panic-buying

People are being urged to delay trips and work from home as a ‘nightmare’ transport day approaches; selected power cuts and school closures are among other likely impacts

French people travel to Italy to buy medicines amid shortages

Several pharmacies in Ventimiglia, near the French border, have stocked up on drugs to serve people coming across the border from France

France places temporary ban on online paracetamol sales

Supplies of the medication have been under strain for the past six months

Lack of doctors in France ‘means rural residents are dying younger’

Access to GPs is difficult in the countryside though this varies from one local area to another. Access to specialists and hospitals is also a concern

France needs up to 15,000 pharmacists to fill gaps, unions say

Two thirds of pharmacies across the country report being understaffed and overworked, according to the pharmacy federation

Fuel supplies improve in France, strike lifts in three refineries

Protest action however continues in two other French refineries. What is the situation in French petrol stations now?

MAP: See areas of France worst hit as fuel shortages continue

President Macron met with ministers last night and pledged ‘to do the utmost’ to resolve the situation. Average fuel prices have risen sharply due to the shortages

Today’s cross-sector strike in France: up to 50% of trains cancelled

TER and Intercités trains are worst affected, especially around Nouvelle-Aquitaine

French fuel shortage: How to check stocks at your local petrol station

With strikes affecting supply at the moment, we suggest different websites and apps to check what stocks petrol stations have around the country

Fuel shortages update: Strikes to continue at five French refineries

Staff and unions are continuing to push for higher wages despite successful talks between some groups last week

Which sectors are expected to join strike in France next Tuesday?

Unions are calling for a day of interprofessional action in solidarity with striking refinery workers

French fuel shortages: Union calls for wider national strike next week

The interprofessional strike would be a protest against the government’s decision to require some striking refinery employees to go back to work

French fuel shortages: Tips for avoiding petrol thefts

Risk of fuel theft is higher with petrol and diesel currently in short supply at a third of French petrol stations

French fuel shortages: Which professionals are being prioritised?

People employed in certain sectors are being allowed to use dedicated pumps although in some areas they are still struggling to fill up due to low stocks

Around a week for French fuel shortages to end, Macron estimates

Union leaders say strike action has today been renewed in five refineries

French fuel shortages: When might supplies return to normal?

Even when an agreement between refinery bosses and unions is found, it will take ‘a good week’ to get supply flow back to normal levels

French fuel prices rise over €2 a litre in places amid shortages

This comes as a result of increases in the cost of barrels of crude oil, along with distribution issues caused by continuing refinery strikes

Fuel shortages: strike action is renewed at French refineries

The government is now threatening to ‘intervene’ and force striking employees to return to work. Nearly a third of stations report shortages

Second-hand cars selling for same price as new in France

A shortage of new car parts has pushed up demand for second-hand models that are a couple of years old, with prices rising by 20% since early 2021

Wood pellet shortages in France cause prices to soar

Stocks are ‘under tension’, say experts, with more people using the pellets for fuel and many starting to prepare for winter earlier than ever this year

Winter power cuts: What risk in France and why an app can help

We examine how households could be affected by electricity cuts and look at how to receive advance warning of disruptions in your area

The African ‘mustard’ coming to the French condiment’s rescue

A type of African spiced powder is becoming popular as an alternative to mustard, which is in short supply due to severe drought and the war in Ukraine

Drought: France faces winter milk shortage, warns farming union head

The union leader has called for milk prices to increase to help farmers through a tough period caused by drought and high temperatures

France prepares measures to prevent winter energy shortages

The government is hoping to reduce consumption by 10% over two years as suppliers warn of a difficult winter

Horseradish suggested as alternative amid French mustard shortage

All French raifort (horseradish) is produced by a single Alsace-based company

France could face butter shortages by autumn, supermarket head warns

It comes after a sunflower oil shortage in spring, which was linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

French EasyJet pilots warn of ‘unprecedented flight chaos’ this summer

The airline has preemptively cancelled around 40 flights a day for the rest of June but pilots say the fact the situation could get worse is a ‘frightening prospect’

The French tourist cities taking a stand against Airbnb-style lets

Second homes are also in the firing line for some, with residents increasingly complaining about empty properties and difficulties in finding affordable local accommodation

French hospital workers strike over ‘disastrous’ staff shortages

Unions have denounced a ‘desperately ill-treated’ hospital system which could soon result in unnecessary deaths

Restaurants try new ways to recruit to tackle chronic waiter shortages

‘Not one single CV sent in for our job ads,’ a restaurant owner tells The Connexion as the consequences of Covid lockdowns hit the industry

Cost of home DIY projects rises due to shortages: should you delay?

We share tips for households thinking of starting works

Sunflower oil replacement in France: What if I have allergies?

The French government has authorised manufacturers to change food recipes without immediately changing the labels – but allergens will be highlighted straightaway

Price of wine set to rise in France due to shortage of bottles

Lingering effects of Covid and the war in Ukraine have pushed up the price of glass by 20% in a year

Sunflower oil shortage prompts recipe changes to shop foods in France

Labels on everyday products may not reflect the replacement of sunflower oil with other ingredients for up to six months

Historic French shoe brand Paraboot struggles to meet Instagram demand

The €350-a-pair shoes, said to be popular with priests, winemakers and lawyers - and worn by Paris' police force, have seen a 35% rise in sales this year

Fears that Omicron case surge could disrupt public services in France

Many workers risk being off sick with hundreds of thousands of cases predicted for January. The good news is initial studies suggest infections will not necessarily lead to hospitalisations

Hospital staff in France called to protest over worker shortages

Some ambulances have reportedly been left unable to answer emergency calls due to lack of staff

Why has France lost 80,000 hospital beds in 20 years?

Figures on the status of beds have revealed rising tensions among hospitals across the country although some drops are due to a change in working practices

Ça ne mange pas de pain: A French expression you may hear today

With the price of baguettes expected to increase in the near future, we look at phrases inspired by the staple food…

Cost of baguettes set to rise amid flour and labour shortages

Increases could put some French bakeries at risk due to price wars with nearby supermarkets, an expert warns. Price rise are also expected for wood-burning stove pellets as stocks run low

Which products are – or could be – hit by stock shortages in France?

Clothes, shoes, Christmas toys, electronics, furniture, bikes, and paper are among products on the list – and price increases are expected for several food items

Shortages of goods in France: What is expected in the months to come?

Shoe shops are reporting low stocks and difficulties in receiving deliveries on time, while supermarkets say prices have gone up due to a global lack of raw materials

Your feedback on furniture and other Covid-led shortages in France

Fruit, wood and homeware are some of the items you have struggled to find, with Ikea featuring among outlets that are struggling to restock. It comes as demand for home improvements increases following Covid confinements