From this Monday, in certain fast food restaurants, via dishes ordered online or in your cinema, condom wrappers will be hidden. Inside, no latex objects, and on the envelope, an inscription: “Free condoms are not here. It’s in all pharmacies. Meet at bonnetes-gratuites.fr » Purpose of this campaign: to inform young men and women under 26 of their right to benefit from free male condoms in all pharmacies in France since January 1, 2023.
Nearly 7.8 million reimbursed condoms were delivered from January to June, according to figures from the Ministry of Health, while 16-25 year olds represent 3.9 million people in France. The dynamic decreased during the year, since 2 million protections had been given in January. If the Ministry of Health sees it as “a real success”, several representatives of pharmacists’ unions regret the lack of communication on this subject.
A lack of information
“We had quite a few requests at the very beginning but since then, not much,” summarizes Christophe Le Gall, president of the National Union of Pharmacists of France (UNPF). The information did not really circulate to patients. » Same observation for Pierre-Olivier Variot, president of the Union of Unions of Community Pharmacists (USPO). “Young people are not aware. »
Quite a telling example: pharmacists dispense many more condoms from other brands, which are not covered, than Eden and “Sortez covered” condoms, the reimbursed protection brands, according to Pierre-Olivier Variot. “This may also be explained by a lack of attractiveness because the free condoms are basic. There are two sizes but not different scents and textures. » According to the president of the USPO, it is more the lack of information that is to blame. “Given the weak communication campaign, we expected such figures. »
The role of the pharmacist
For the president of the UNPF, the pharmacist also has a role to play in the democratization of this measure. In some pharmacies, in fact, it is impossible to know that condoms are free for young people. No display or information. “The way the pharmacist suggests things and puts them forward plays a big role. » When a young patient comes for a morning-after pill or other contraception, Christophe Le Gall asks him: “I’ll give you some extra condoms, can that help you?” » Most of the time, the person nods. “The idea is to offer them to young people almost systematically. » But some teenagers seem more intimidated and decline the invitation. “It’s also up to us to be discreet and friendly to put them at ease. »
When a young man or woman takes a box of condoms from another brand directly, the president of the UNPF invites pharmacists to inform him of the presence of reimbursed protection. “We can give him a box of freebies and tell him to try it and if it suits him, he can come back for more. »
Communicate via social networks
Christophe Le Gall would like to go further by disseminating information directly to young patients. “Public authorities must communicate more or allow groups of pharmacists to relay this information, which we do not have the right to do today,” adds Christophe Le Gall. You must also adapt your method of communication to the age group with explanatory videos on social networks or by SMS, for example. »
By targeting fast-food chains, dating applications and home meal delivery apps, the government seems to have heard the message. Will this new communication campaign bear fruit? Response in a few months.