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Pharmacies in France are specialized facilities which work closely with clients, ensuring safe products and providing professional advice. Pharmaceutical activities in France are strictly regulated by the country's code of public health. Any new drug must undergo many tests to determine its quality and effectiveness before the French agency for medicine will consider authorizing it as marketable. Once on the market, the costs of prescription drugs are reimbursed and regulated by the government, resulting in fairly low fixed prices for consumers. One must be a certified pharmacist in order to own a pharmacy, but restrictions prevent one person from owning more than one establishment. Pharmacies are restricted to selling drugs, cosmetics and other health-related products, and they are the sole establishments which sell medicine, whether it be over the counter or prescription. As a result, consumers can always receive professional advice when purchasing medicine, helping ensure safe and appropriate treatment for any ailment. .
Prime Minister Lionel Jospin introduced to the French public in February his new universal healthcare initiative (CMU) designed at covering the some 150,000 French citizens who find themselves without assured medical protection, as well as those 550,000 citizens who have personal healthcare plans but must deal with lower quality services. CMU seeks to provide immediate medical protection and quick access to services for all citizens. #.
A recent report indicates that about 25 percent of the French refuse medical aide because they have only partial coverage. However, this proportion is 51 percent among people with lower incomes. The government therefore decided to create a special complementary insurance plan for this category of the population. Six million French citizens will benefit from the measure. The new initiative provides free coverage with 100-percent reimbursement of medical costs without delay.