“This proves that the financial aspect was a brake!
".
In her pharmacy in Orsay (Essonne), Delphine Chadoutaud can testify to the boom in the free distribution of condoms in pharmacies, open to all under 26 since January 1 by decision of Emmanuel Macron.
Two million products were fully covered by Health Insurance during the first month of the year, four times more than in January 2022, announced this Wednesday morning the Minister of Health, François Braun.
“Such success from the very beginning of the operation shows that this decision had to be made.
And this will only increase gradually, with word of mouth which works very well among young people, ”anticipates Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF).
In January, 2 million condoms were reimbursed by health insurance for those under 26, compared to 500,000 in the same period last year.
This is the direct effect of @EmmanuelMacron's announcement and it's one more step towards our prevention revolution @Sante_Gouv pic.twitter.com/74J7BMcRDJ
— François Braun (@FrcsBraun) February 8, 2023
According to him, "a taboo has been lifted" by "mediatizing the fact that it is normal to protect oneself".
“The embarrassment, it is we who create it.
If we know how to welcome patients, answer any questions they may have and put them at ease, everything goes well,” says Delphine Chadoutaud.
“There is a bit of everything, including minors”
At the beginning of December, the general manager of Sidaction, Florence Thune, pointed out “two brakes” with the Parisian.
“The first is psychological.
Some tell themselves that HIV no longer exists or that it is others who catch it.
The second is the budget.
A barrier has just fallen, ”she said.
There was a bit of hesitation during the announcement, the government had first promised free admission for 18-25 year olds, before extending it to all under 26s.
The pros also wondered how many references would be affected.
“The President of the Republic took us a little by surprise.
But the situation is now clearer,” reassures Philippe Besset.
For the moment, only two brands ("Eden" and "Sortez covered!") are covered 100% by health insurance.
For young people, no medical prescription or advance payment required.
The profile of those who come to pick up a box is very varied, according to our witnesses.
“There is a bit of everything, including minors.
A colleague also hopes that it is not to make water bombs, ”smiles Delphine Chadoutaud.