Drug shortages: will we have to pay more? The Franceinfo Talk debate

France is experiencing a major shortage of medicines this winter, like other European countries. According to the National Medicines Safety Agency, nearly 3,000 molecules are missing in pharmacies. Amoxicillin, paracetamol: the supply difficulties as well as the multiplication of epidemics in recent months concern drugs of major therapeutic interest. So, how to explain the causes of these shortages and above all what solutions to remedy these difficulties?

Ludovic Pauchant receives Nathalie Coutineteeconomist at the University of Sorbonne Paris Nord and researcher at the Economics Center of the University of Paris-Nord (CEPN) as well as Renaud Nadjahivice-president of the Union of community pharmacists in the Talk to discuss it.

An unprecedented situation?

For several weeks, tensions have been felt over the supply of medicines to pharmacies in France. This shortage, which first affected paracetamol, now also concerns antibiotics and cough suppressants.

For fifteen years, the National Medicines Safety Agency has recorded shortages. However, the unprecedented dimension of this is that it concerns medicines in high demand and intended for the general public. What are the solutions to respond to this exceptional situation?

Join us from 6 p.m. Monday to Friday on the franceinfo Twitch channel to participate in Ludovic Pauchant’s Talk. An hour of exchange, clarification, debate around topical and social issues.