"Patients understood": Two pharmacists sentenced for selling single-drug products

A pharmacist couple has been fined for selling single-dose medications in Corrèze . The Nouvelle-Aquitaine pharmacists' association has accused them of dispensing medications outside the legal framework. They have been banned from practicing for six months, four of which are suspended. The couple announced Thursday that they will appeal the decision. The temporary ban on practicing is therefore suspended for the time being.

Antoine Prioux and Eliza Castagné, who each work in their own pharmacy, consider this decision "unfair." Faced with supply constraints, they decided to open the medication boxes and dispense only the prescribed dose to patients, tablet by tablet.

"At first, they're surprised, then we explain why. And then patients understand. No one wants medication to be wasted," argues Antoine Prioux.

In practice, this allows him to regulate medication shortages by sharing a box among several patients. "We charge patient number 1 for a box, and patient number 2, who comes to see us for the same treatment and is in short supply, we'll give them the doses," he explains.

Antoine Prioux was "aware" that he was operating "in an unlawful environment." The couple's initiative was strongly contested by the Union of Community Pharmacists' Unions. "We must respect the rules in terms of dispensing, traceability, and safety. And these are essential elements for the patient," commented Guillaume Racle, national representative of the USPO.

If the decision is upheld on appeal, Antoine Prioux intends to find a replacement so he doesn't have to close his pharmacy. The couple has launched a petition to support their efforts . It has nearly 5,000 signatures.