Cash Investigation investigation into the reasons for the lack of medicines in France and the exorbitant prices of certain treatments.
For the third winter in a row, France is facing a worrying phenomenon: shortages of medicines. In 2023, nearly 5,000 drug references were out of stock or in supply shortage in pharmacies. However, these are essential medicines: antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs or anti-infectives. Treatments which, until now, were not lacking.
Why are we facing this situation? Who is responsible for this?
Julie Lotz investigated for more than a year to answer these questions, and was particularly interested in a vital drug, the antibiotic most consumed by the French: amoxicillin. Last winter, millions of boxes were missing to treat ear infections, tonsillitis or sinusitis. Could some pharmacists have “overstocked”, depriving other pharmacies of merchandise? Or would the laboratories not have produced enough to supply the entire territory? Does the State still have power against these powerful industrialists?
-Cash also investigated innovative treatments for cystic fibrosis, which affects more than 100,000 people worldwide.
For some patients, daily life has greatly improved thanks to a medication manufactured by the Vertex laboratory. But this American industrialist limits access to his treatment to countries that agree to pay a high price, even if it means depriving patients of this treatment.
France
