Encouraging figures, but an “important reminder” which is necessary.
Some 16.7 million condoms have been distributed free of charge in pharmacies for those under 26 since January 1, 2023, Emmanuel Macron welcomed on Sunday, on the last day of Sidaction.
“For you, condoms are free,” wrote the head of state on X. “16.7 million have already been distributed in pharmacies.
Enjoy it.
Continue to protect yourself!
".
This Sidaction weekend, an important reminder to all those under 26:
For you, condoms are free.
Since my announcement, 16.7 million have already been distributed in pharmacies.
Enjoy it.
Continue to protect yourself!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 24, 2024
At the end of 2022, Emmanuel Macron announced the entry into force from January 1, 2023 of this measure which allows 100% coverage by Health Insurance, without a medical prescription, of male condoms for those under 26 years old.
Four brands are concerned: “Eden”, “Get out covered!
», “Be Loved” and “Sure & Smile”.
Adults must present a Vitale card, a certificate of rights or, failing that, an identity card.
For minors, a sworn declaration is sufficient to justify their age and their insured status.
The 2024 social security financing law now also provides for free certain female condoms for the same age group.
Packs of five to ten condoms from the “Ormelle” brand have been covered since January 9, according to the public service website.
Last straight line before the end of Sidaction
The 30th edition of Sidaction, a charity event supported by television and radio, is being held from Friday to Sunday, and will therefore end in a few hours.
In 2023, this event brought together just over 3.9 million euros in pledges, an amount close to that collected the previous year.
The Sidaction association, which initiated the event, highlighted last January an “a priori positive” assessment of Emmanuel Macron's measure, with an increasing number of condoms reimbursed by Health Insurance.
But she highlighted an “unrecognized” impact on public health, wondering “whether free use has really increased the use of condoms among young people or whether it has only led to a shift towards brands that are now free. constant use.
Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union of Community Pharmacists' Unions (Uspo), had also described to the association a measure that was "certainly effective", but unfortunately "not well enough known to young people".
Especially since according to a recent Ifop survey for Sidaction, many 15-24 year olds still ignore condoms: among those who say they have multiple, non-regular partners, 45% say they do not use it systematically during sexual intercourse.
Also read “There are sprains”: despite the fear of STIs, those under 25 do not systematically protect themselves
In France, some 200,000 people live with HIV and 5,000 new HIV-positive cases were discovered in 2022. If triple therapy treatments make it possible to make the virus undetectable and prevent its transmission, current research does not currently make it possible to eliminate it from the body.
Condoms are the only method of contraception that protects against AIDS and, more broadly, sexually transmitted infections.