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Probiotics, plants, masks … Some pharmacies are surfing on customers’ concerns


A Marseilles pharmacy which proposed a “preventive treatment” against the coronavirus recognizes that this message was “inappropriate” (photo of illustration). – C. Follain / 20 Minutes

  • Unnecessary drugs, ineffective masks … Some abuse has been seen in pharmacies since the start of the coronavirus epidemic.
  • These opportunistic behaviors, which remain rare, are condemned by the Order of Pharmacists.

The poster was clearly visible, not far from the hydroalcoholic gels and lip balms. Until Monday, a pharmacist from Marseilles proposed a “preventive treatment” against
coronaviruses. “It’s just to boost immunity, we offer probiotics and plants,” explained an employee. The “treatment” included in particular Lactibiane Immuno, a food supplement which, according to the Vidal medical dictionary website, “contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system. “

In any case, these tablets sold for fifteen euros the 30 can not prevent you from contracting the coronavirus. As the World Health Organization recalls, “To date, no specific medication is recommended to prevent or treat infection with the new coronavirus. “

“I had the poster removed”

“It was one of the employees of the pharmacy who put up this poster, in the madness around the coronavirus. The words were inappropriate and awkward, ”admits, with 20 minutes, pharmacist Michel Cohen, husband of the owner of this Marseille pharmacy. “Thank you for alerting me. I had the poster removed, “he says. He has now posted a more general message in the pharmacy, which gives advice on prevention against “winter viruses”.

Other pharmacies continue to be opportunistic. “A pharmacy carried out a promotion with products of the Puressentiel brand, by indicating” effective against the coronavirus “and by increasing the selling price”, tells Franck, a reader solicited via a call for witnesses. He considers the approach “shameful and unethical. “

Vicks Vaporub and unnecessary masks

“A pharmacy in Nantes sold me 25 FFP1 masks to protect me from the coronavirus. I learned later that they are not effective in prevention, “says Morgane. She claims to have paid for these protections “400% more expensive than the usual price. Another reader, who wished to remain anonymous, said that a professional advised him to apply “Vicks Vaporub three times a day and to make inhalations of eucalyptus essential oil. “

“They are strong, guys,” comments Stéphane Pichon, president of the regional council of pharmacists in Paca and Corsica, with an ironic smile:

As soon as we see it in a pharmacy, we stop them. At the Order, we are very vigilant against quackery or false information. These measurements are not scientifically validated. The only thing that has been validated is to put aside infected people … And if not, of course, hand washing, and wear a mask if you are sick. But you have to know what to keep. “

These abuses are rare in French pharmacies. Many readers of 20 minutes explain that their pharmacists were reassuring. “In every profession, there are bad apples,” concludes Hervé, pharmacist in Lyon.

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