French pharmacist assaulted every day on average in 2022

In its annual report, the National Order of Pharmacists lists 366 assaults (verbal, physical or theft) A figure far from the peak of 600, the phenomenon is "worrying" 44% of reporting pharmacists do not file a complaint, in particular for lack of time, fear of reprisals or believing that it is not necessary. In pharmacies, "verbal and physical violence represent 70% of declarations, nearly 8% of which are still related to the health crisis," says the Order.

In its annual report, the National Order of Pharmacists lists 366 assaults (verbal, physical or theft). A figure far from the peak of 600

The phenomenon is "worrying". The National Order of Pharmacists has identified 366 assaults reported in 2022, or "on average one pharmacist assaulted every day in France," he worries in a report that AFP was able to consult this Sunday.

In this annual report on the safety of pharmacists, which lists the reports of aggression of professionals on the Order's form, the organization reports 366 assaults (verbal, physical or theft), including 14 overseas. In detail, it reports 355 reports of aggression in pharmacies, six in medical biology laboratories and five in pharmacies for indoor use. "If the peak of 600 assaults reported in the context of the health crisis tends to be absorbed, the data nevertheless reflect an increase of 17% compared to 2019," before the pandemic, notes the Order in a press release.

Violence still linked to Covid

In pharmacies, "verbal and physical violence represent 70% of declarations, nearly 8% of which are still related to the health crisis (wearing masks, vaccination, antigen tests)," says the Order. In 2021, the share of Covid-related assaults was 28%.

Verbal and physical violence are "mainly related to a refusal of dispensation", adds the report, which specifies that the majority of assaults suffered are not serious (95.8%). And "this phenomenon of insecurity affects the entire national territory as evidenced by the 30% of assaults in pharmacies located in municipalities of less than 5,000 inhabitants".

The Order "strongly encourages pharmacists who are victims of any type of assault to file a complaint." Because "this year again, 44% of reporting pharmacists do not file a complaint, in particular for lack of time, fear of reprisals or believing that it is not necessary".