Share

French pharmacists resist competition

Paris - All but a handful of France's pharmacies were closed on Tuesday to protest the Socialist government's plans to introduce more competition into the sector.

Pharmacists were the latest profession to challenge President Francois Hollande's plans to deregulate their activities following a first-ever street protest earlier this month by notaries.

Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron hopes to give the euro zone's second-biggest economy a boost by shaking up regulations that currently give 37 professions, ranging from court clerks to taxi drivers, a monopoly-like grip on their industry.

Pharmacists are worried that the reform will allow supermarkets to sell over-the-counter drugs and pave the way to big outside investors buying up owner-run pharmacies.

About 97% of the pharmacies not ordered by law to remain open remained shuttered on Tuesday, according to the national order of pharmacists.

Big retailers like supermarket chain E Leclerc are lobbying hard to win the right to sell non-prescription drugs, including by airing prime-time television spots.

Macron, a 36-year-old former investment banker who was also previously Hollande's top economic adviser, said there were many false ideas circulating about the deregulation bill, which he aims to present at the end of the year.

"The bill aims to modernise the country in order to create activity wherever it's possible and to lower prices for households and companies," Macron said in an interview with regional newspaper Paris-Normandie.
 
 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.87
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.85
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders