Covid-19 case statistics from French health authorities and policy announcements

France to End Reimbursement of Antigen Covid-19 Tests at 16.50 Euros Post-Winter Epidemic

Jan 17, 2025, 01:52 PM

The French government has announced plans to end the reimbursement of rapid Covid-19 tests conducted in pharmacies once the current winter epidemic period concludes. This decision, which will affect antigen tests and combined tests for Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), has raised concerns among pharmacists. The tests, currently reimbursed at 16.50 euros, will no longer be covered by the Assurance Maladie, though pharmacists will still be able to perform these tests and provide self-tests upon request. If the reimbursement is removed, patients will have to pay 19.5 euros out of pocket for these diagnostics. For vulnerable individuals at risk of severe illness, a medical prescription will be required for the reimbursement of RT-PCR tests. The change will not apply to rapid tests for diagnosing strep throat, which will continue to be reimbursed. The Union of Pharmacists' Unions (Uspo) has criticized the move as detrimental to public health, arguing that antigen tests are crucial for epidemic control and promoting vaccination awareness. They noted that Covid-19 antigen tests generated a 75 million euros margin for pharmacists in 2024. The Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France suggests maintaining reimbursement for combined tests during winter respiratory epidemics for at-risk populations. The World Health Organization (OMS) declared the end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency in May 2023.