Paracetamol: faced with the shortage, some people from Nice will stock up on drugs in Italy

Le Figaro Nice

In France, the shortage of paracetamol and amoxicillin continues. However, other countries do not seem to suffer from the lack of medicines. This is the case of Switzerland, Germany or Italy. Therefore, some cross-border commuters do not hesitate to travel a few kilometers to refuel with Doliprane and other Efferalgan. This is particularly the case at Niceas confirmed by Figaro Wednesday evening the vice-president of the pharmacists’ union of the Alpes-Maritimes, Raphaël Gigliotti.

“It is a reality and it is ultimately quite logical. The Italians don’t have any stock problems, so the border residents of Nice take advantage of this. And if they go get their medicine there, it’s also because they don’t want to waste a lot of time at the local pharmacy.», remarks the trade unionist. “Because if we don’t have a drug that is on a prescription, we have to ask our wholesalers to find out if they have it or not, then the laboratories to find out if they can help us out. And sometimes you have to find alternatives, but in this case you have to warn the prescriber to find out if he agrees. Without counting that it is still necessary to explain to the patient why one chooses this alternative. It’s a pretty heinous waste of time.»

Read alsoPharmacies warn of drug shortages

When questioned, several Italian pharmacists confirm that they have seen a sharp increase in their French clientele in recent days. “Oh yes, a lot!” Exclaims the manager of the pharmacy of doctors Rossi Antonella and Barbieri, the closest to the border, in Ventimiglia. “The French are stocking up on paracetamol and amoxicillin, but it’s not like at the time of the levothyroxwe manage to manage it, at least until now”, he continues. “It’s been quieter since last weekend.», Observes the owner of the Roja pharmacy, also located in Ventimiglia.

” Today, a box of paracetamol is bought for a few cents by the State and inevitably, the industrialist, when he has a problem on his production line, he is not stupid, he will sell to the country which will give him a few euros rather than a few cents »

“Today it’s paracetamol, tomorrow cough syrup and then we don’t know! It’s the crystal ball. Currently I have a stock of medication that allows me to last eight to ten days, but at one time or another it may no longer be enough. worries Raphaël Gigliotti. “Today, a box of paracetamol is bought for a few cents by the State and inevitably, the industrialist, when he has a problem on his production line, he is not stupid, he will sell to the country which will give him a few euros rather than a few cents. This is a problem on which we regularly alert and the problem is that we are always, we French, served last and that creates rupture as at the moment.»

Read alsoShortage of drugs: return to normal expected within “two months” for amoxicillin, says Braun

As a reminder, on January 4, the government banned the online sale of paracetamol-based products until the end of the month, in view of the persistent context of supply difficulties for this ubiquitous drug in medicine cabinets. “The online sale of specialties composed exclusively of paracetamol is suspended until January 31, 2023“, decreed the government in a decree published in the Official Journal. This decision takes note of the fact thattensions in paracetamol-based drugs have continued for more than six monthsespecially for forms intended for children. With regard to amoxicillin, which is the most prescribed antibiotic in France, the return to normal is planned under “two months“, said François Braun on France 2 Thursday, January 5.