France, like other countries of the European Union, has been experiencing tensions over the stocks of several drugs for months. Pharmacies, health establishments and laboratories are impacted. This shortage has been in the news in particular since the statements of Giulia Foïs, journalist and producer for France Inter. The latter calls out about the lack of Sabril, a pediatric drug, helping to fight against the epileptic seizures of which her 6-year-old son is a victim.

Although the Minister of Health wishes to allay concerns, tensions persist. François Braun has drawn up an initial list of 281 “critical” drugs, in order to avoid shortages. Despite opposition criticism of the measures put in place, “the government is pursuing a policy of concrete measures”, defended the Minister of Health.

This context of shortage could unfortunately extend until next winter. The list drawn up by the Ministry of Health will make it possible to establish a precise classification of medicines in tension and in rupture. Manufacturing laboratories will then be able to produce these essential antibiotics for the treatment of certain patients.

“There is also a winter plan, since every winter we increase the consumption of certain drugs, and also a white drug plan being put in place”, developed François Braun for 20 Minutes, as for a potential winter scarcity. According to the Observatory of transparency in drug policies, this shortage is “a systemic problem” which “will only be solved if the executive finally takes important decisions”.

In order to deal with this persistent shortage, several measures are being considered by the government and health actors. Find them in our slideshow below.