What to do if your local pharmacy in France is out of stock of your medicine

If you are taking prescription medicine but find that your usual pharmacy has run out, there are a few options you can try to make sure you can get a resupply in time.

In some cases, your pharmacist might be able to provide you with an alternative medicine straight away – either a generic version of a branded drug or an equivalent treatment if one is available. 

If you do not need the medicine immediately, they may be able to make an order specially for you that you can then pick up once it has arrived.

Note it is always good to double-check any different medicine is okay for you to take, particularly if you take several drugs. 

Your pharmacist should be able to inform you on this matter, but it is also worth reaching out to your doctor if shortages persist to see if alternative treatments are okay that are in-stock.

Pharmacists and health professionals have access to an online service called Vigirupture where data is shared about the availability of medicines across France. 

Your usual pharmacy can often direct you to another location nearby that does have your medicine in stock.

If you live in a larger town or city or area with high population density, many pharmacies will be part of a network, or even the same chain and may be able to find you another stockist close by where you can pick up your medicine. 

QuellePharmacie is a useful tool available to everyone that allows you to search for specific medicines. You can enter a town or postcode and it gives an estimate of medicine stock levels at different pharmacies in that area.

Use an online ordering service

Several pharmacy chains in France now allow you to order medicines online and receive them by home delivery, at a pick up point or by click and collect in a pharmacy.

LaSante, Mymediks and Phacil are some examples with home delivery for medicines starting around €6.

National postal service La Poste also provides this through ‘Mes Médicaments Chez Moi’

Read more: Did you know? La Poste will pick up medicines from a pharmacy and deliver them to you

This will allow you to anticipate running out of the medicine, ordering it in advance and ensuring you do not miss any doses.

Options for urgent medication

If you have run out of medicine and been unable to find a resupply, a pharmacie de garde or on-call pharmacist may be able to help you out of hours, weekends and on bank holidays.

Pharmacies often have a sign in their window listing where you will find the pharmacie de garde covering your area. 

You can also phone 3237 any time or check online at 3237.fr for details of your nearest on-call pharmacist. Calling the number costs €0.35 per minute.

Read more: Are pharmacies in France closed on Sundays? What if I need medicine urgently?

It can also be worth contacting your mutuelle top-up health insurance provider for help, particularly if a lack of medication could have more serious consequences. 

They may be able to provide assistance and ensure you get the medicine you need on time.

Finally, if you are facing a severe issue, calling the emergency medical services on ‘15’ is an option, as is booking an emergency appointment with an out of hours doctor or SOS Médecins.