Thefts from pharmacies are increasing in the north of France

Maximilien Carlier 8:52 a.m., April 2, 2024, modified at 8:55 a.m., April 2, 2024

In the north of France, pharmacists are increasingly expressing their dissatisfaction with the increase in burglaries. “Following numerous flights, closed on Sundays”. This is what we can read on the facade of a pharmacy located in Marcq-en-Barœul. A radical decision by Clément Créteur. "I had days with more than 1,500 euros of flights. We had a very significant loss of profitability. On Sundays, there are only 3-4 of us serving, unlike other days when there are around ten of us. So more difficult to monitor,” said the pharmacy manager.

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The cosmetics section is coveted

Pharmacists must monitor the cosmetics section which is very coveted with products ranging from 200 to 450 euros. In addition to anti-theft devices, equipping yourself becomes essential. “When I started opening the pharmacy, we had four cameras, now we have 13 cameras. An artificial intelligence that detects thefts and suspicious actions. It’s been two years since it became very complicated,” reported Clément Créteur.

The total investment is 10,000 euros each year. David Alapini, president of the council of the Hauts-de-France Order of Pharmacists, is appealing for help. "Pharmacists can't take it anymore, they are discouraged. We will need help, so that they can carry out their job with peace of mind, without having to choose between concentrating on issuing a prescription or monitoring people in the process. to literally strip a pharmacy," added David Alapini. Losses linked to theft are estimated on average between 24 and 40,000 euros per year, according to the president of the council of the Order of Pharmacists of Hauts-de-France. The equivalent of a salary of a person employed in a pharmacy.