The Local France

France bans online sale of paracetamol over shortage fears

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 15:10:15 +0100

The French government has outlawed the online sale of paracetamol-based medicines until the end of January over fears of a shortage of medication.

'Drunk' anaesthetist on trial over pregnant British woman's death in France

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:16:46 +0200

A Belgian anaesthetist went on trial in the southwestern French city of Pau on Thursday, accused of causing the death of a British woman during a Caesarian section six years ago under the influence of alcohol.

French public urged to avoid 28 over-the-counter medicines for colds, coughs and flu

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 13:22:27 +0100

French consumers have been warned that 28 over-the-counter medicines for common complaints like colds, coughs and sore throats should be avoided because they do more harm than good. The new "blacklist" includes best-selling products by Nurofen and Actifed.

'Judgemental' French doctors are scaring away patients, new study reveals

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:40:35 +0200

Fear of being judged by somewhat over critical doctors is putting many French people off seeking medical help, a new study reveals.

Universities dismiss 'lottery' for Paris medical students

Fri, 06 May 2016 14:02:46 +0200

University authorities have denied that medical students in Paris will be selected via a lottery system, after claims that an overfull system will see caps on student places.

France to ban vaginal exams without consent

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:33:22 +0100

France has moved to ban vaginal and rectal exams on unconscious patients after a study found that many were being performed without patient consent.

French pharmacies shut up shop in protest

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 13:24:00 +0200

All but a handful of pharmacies in France will be closed on Tuesday as part of a nationwide strike against government plans to weaken the monopolies held by self-employed professionals like lawyers, doctors and notaries.

France weighs medicine sales at supermarkets

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:31:54 +0200

France’s top financial watchdog says it’s time to end the monopoly pharmacies have on selling over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol as well as cold and flu remedies. The watchdog believes introducing competition will bring down prices.

France OK's first cannabis-based medicine

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:48:00 +0100

France said 'oui' on Thursday to its first marijuana-derived medicine, which will come in the form of a mouth spray and will be made available to those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

French ‘take 48 boxes of pills every year’

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:37:00 +0200

Each French person consumes 48 boxes of medication a year, according to a report published this week. The report is the latest in a series of studies that appears to confirm the French reputation for being overly obsessed with their health.

France recalls diuretic pill after two deaths

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:38:00 +0200

France's health regulator has taken the diuretic medication Furosemide off the shelves after a batch of the pills were found to be dangerously contaminated and linked to two separate deaths, it was reported on Tuesday.

French law on pot-based medicine takes effect

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:26:00 +0200

A new French law permitting cannabis derivatives to be used in the making of medicinal products, has gone into effect, it was reported on Monday. It remains to be seen, however, what form such products might take.

More foreign doctors fill gaps in French care

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:14:00 +0200

The number of doctors with foreign diplomas in France has shot up by 43 percent since 2008, it emerged on Wednesday. Many are specialists who are plugging holes in the nation's health care system, according to the French Medical Board.

Medication 'kills 18,000 each year' in France

Mon, 27 May 2013 19:31:00 +0200

Medication causes more deaths per year in France than road accidents and suicides combined, according to expert testimony on Monday at the high-profile trial of a leading drug company boss, implicated in the deaths of hundreds of people.

French court rejects sick man's cannabis plea

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:20:00 +0100

A French man suffering from a muscular disease since childhood had his request to be given the right to use cannabis for medicinal reasons rejected by a French court on Wednesday. To make matters worse he was fined €300 for possession.

Doctors should be able to 'speed up death': report

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:18:08 +0100

France should allow doctors to "accelerate the coming of death" for terminally ill patients, a report to President François Hollande recommended Tuesday.

French doctors: half of drugs 'are useless'

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:38:00 +0200

A new book written by two doctors claims over half of the medicines are available in France are ineffective, and 5 percent of them are even dangerous.

Kate's diet guru faces legal threat

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:09:00 +0200

The French College of Physicians has filed complaints against Dr. Pierre Dukan, whose Dukan Diet is supposedly followed by the Duchess of Cambridge among others, for suggesting dieting should be included in the school curriculum.