Pharmacists called for guard strike on Pentecost weekend and closure of pharmacies on May 30

The Union of Community Pharmacists’ Unions (USPO) called on Friday April 19 for a day of mobilization and the closure of all pharmacies on Thursday May 30. She will file a strike notice to this effect.

“Threats of deregulation are materializing, economic difficulties are intensifying, drug shortages are not improving, or are even deteriorating”justified the USPO in a press release.

This mobilization will be carried out in three stages. Since last Thursday, pharmacists have been encouraging patients and their customers to sign a petition to raise awareness of their mobilization. At the same time, the unions wish to involve mayors and parliamentarians in their fight. In a context of medical desertification, according to the USPO, “the pharmacy network is crucial for patients and for access to care“, recalls the Union of Trade Unions in a letter sent to elected officials. The Union of Community Pharmacists’ Unions is also calling for a guards’ strike on Pentecost weekend from May 18 to 20.

Drug shortages continue

“In a context of record inflation, community pharmacy is the only profession not to have benefited from an economic increase in Health Insurance since 2022”, underlines the USPO. While Bruno Le Maire, Ministry of the Economy, announced 10 billion euros in savings in 2024, pharmacies fear that this will have “a certain repercussion on the economic negotiations in progress with Health Insurance”.

Finally, according to the USPO, pharmacies continue to experience drug shortages: “Patients do not have access to their treatment and pharmacists spend nearly 12 hours per week on average to find alternative solutions”specifies the press release. “The government must accelerate to strengthen data transparency and force laboratories to release drug stocks”she asks.