Reduction in discounts on generic drugs: the pharmacy inter-union calls for a strike as of the start of the school year

Anger is rising in pharmacies. "The betrayal is confirmed," the pharmacists' inter-union protested in a press release published on August 6. The cause: a decree published in the Official Journal on Wednesday, August 4, formalizing the measure capping discounts granted on generic and biosimilar drugs.

As of September 1, 2025, these discounts will be capped at 30% for the former and 15% for the latter. Gradual reductions are also planned, reaching a ceiling of 20% by 2027. This cap marks the end of a historic practice: until now, discounts could reach up to 40% of the price, excluding manufacturer's taxes.

Already, in early July, pharmacists had mobilized in several French cities to denounce this pending measure. Now that it has been enacted, it has prompted the inter-union group—composed of the FSPF, UNPF, USPO, UDGPO, and Federgy—to take action.

A one-off closure of pharmacies is planned for the start of the school year. While some pharmacies could cease operations as early as August 16, according to AFP, a broader strike is planned for September 18, followed by repeated closures "every Saturday starting September 27."

The aim of this mobilization: to send a strong signal to the government and demonstrate concretely the consequences of a day without a pharmacy. "This upcoming closure aims to illustrate, to the general public and political decision-makers, the impact that the disappearance of local pharmacies would represent," the USPO stated in a press release.

The inter-union warns of the devastating effects of this reform on the 4 million patients seen in pharmacies every day: "Thousands of pharmacies closed, even more jobs lost, towns devitalized, increased distances and longer waiting times to obtain essential medication, or even the impossibility of receiving treatment locally."

According to the National Union of French Pharmacies, the reform would cost the pharmacy network €600 million a year. "Around 30% of pharmacies are already in a very tight cash flow situation," warned Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the USPO, on BFM-RMC. Through this mobilization, pharmacists affirm their refusal to "betray our vocation and deny our patients ." A petition entitled "No to pharmaceutical deserts!" , launched by the USPO, has already collected 59,200 signatures as of August 1.

In a statement published this Wednesday, August 6, the USPO announced that it is preparing "a double legal procedure against the State" : a priority question of constitutionality (QPC) before the Constitutional Council and an appeal for inaction in matters of access to care before the administrative court.

The USPO hopes to demonstrate "the unconstitutional nature of this decree resulting from the Social Security Financing Act 2025 (LFSS 2025), adopted without an impact study, without health or economic justification, and the consequences of which jeopardize access to care in many areas."