Ventolin sprays are missing from pharmacies

Stocks of Ventolin are in tension throughout France on Friday June 7, and it is increasingly difficult to find these sprays in pharmacies. It is not yet a shortage, since there are still boxes, but their number is insufficient to satisfy demand. This lack raises questions, while the risk of pollen allergy is high throughout France. “We have a lack of information at the drug chain level, at least at the top, whether at the level of pharmacists or doctors”says an expert.

The selling price of the drug could explain the tension on stocks. France would sell its boxes cheaper than its neighbors, which would not encourage suppliers to sell to French pharmacies. According to Public Health France, asthma affects more than 4 million French people and the spray is essential in the event of an attack.