REPORTAGE
While the controversy swells over the sale of surgical masks from Monday in supermarkets, pharmacies have been selling since this Saturday morning. Surgical masks were previously reserved for caregivers. The Order of Pharmacists announced the authorization to sell Wednesday, April 29, in response to orders from large retailers. The pharmacies, on the other hand, refrain from profiting from it and put forward a reasoned distribution.
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Paper, disposable, surgical masks are available at pharmacies at cost for the general public but, as for caregivers, in limited quantities. This is what ensures Philippe Besset, president of the Federation of pharmaceutical unions of France.
"I refuse to give my patients masks, it eats me!"
Philippe Besset has also established priorities by opening his pharmacy. "All the customers asked us this question this morning: 'Can I have masks?'", He says. "We explain to them each time that surgical masks are reserved for fragile audiences. The needs of the elderly and frail are real! Me, it's been two months since I refuse to my patients to give them masks, it eats me!"
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Pharmacists plead for a requisition of part of the stock of mass distribution in order to increase the state stock and allow free distribution. Olivier Rozaire, pharmacist in the Loire, does not sell surgical masks. He did not order any, voluntarily, to show his dissatisfaction with large retailers. "I do not agree with that, the carers do not have enough, the carers, they are entitled to three per week when they would need two per day. The allocation today should be four times greater to cover the needs, "he explains.
According to the pharmacist, the alternative masks, known as "general public" masks, are in any case quite effective enough to address the end of confinement, scheduled for May 11.