Medication in France

Have you ever had difficulty finding familiar or useful medication in your adopted country?

I don't look for "familiar" meds here as I learned early on it's all different.  You have to go to a pharmacy for any kind of medication even if it's a simple a pain relieve are kept behind the counter unlike the USA where you can pick-up some medications at the supermarket.  The few meds I've used have been extremely effective. If you're unsure of the product you need the pharmacists are very helpful to recommend the appropriate medication.  Of course, when I have visited a Dr.'s office I'm given an Rx and then the pharmacist fills it.

Have you ever faced drug shortages in France?  No.  With the exception of hand sanitizer due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Would you say that in France medicines are more or less expensive than in your home country?  Meds in France are way cheaper than in the USA.  It's mind boggling.  You never see pharmaceutical advertisements on television here promoting their products like we do the in US.  It's forbidden here.

We've had a few problems obtaining drugs that are now over the counter (without prescription) in our home country but still require a script in France - statins are an example.  It is a little tedious having to go to a pharmacy rather than a supermarket just to get nurofen or paracetamol.  That said, many drugs here seem to be quite cheap - when we have had prescriptions for anti-inflammatories etc. they have been cheaper than script prices at home (Australia).
The other 'problem' in France is that GPs (and surgeons) are quite quick to suggest treatments that are not supported by evidence or would not be prescribed in the US, UK or Australia. Examples are pineapple extract for oedema (no evidence to suggest efficacy and not approved in the US). So far I have not had homeopathy suggested to me, but I am irritated when I see it in pharmacies and when my pharmacist had a petition asking for support for its reimbursement to be continued.  I want to sign something asking for it to be 'derembourse'.

When we arrived, I was taking a combo thyroid medication that is not available in France, so I had to work with an endocrinologist to find the right substitution. Others not available here: liquid ibuprofen, Benadryl, Afrin, NyQuil.
We've never had a shortage longer than a couple of days - just a case of the pharmacy having to order a medication.
All of our prescriptions are cheaper than in the US. One nose spray was $200 in the US; here it is $10! However, vitamins are much more expensive in France.

My experience of getting medical attention in France is not very good, despite it being basically free.

I had a severe ear ache so I saw a specialist doctor. The doctor syringed my left ear and it was one of the most painful experiences in my life. What that doctor did not realize was that I apparently had a perforated ear drum at the time and she was syringing liquid through the damaged drum into the deep ear. What a crappy doctor she was.

The other bad experience is when I had a painful knee and I visited a specialist who told me that I had torn cartilage in my knee. This was a famous sports injury doctor and he operated on my knee to remove apparently damaged cartilage. My brother in law is a radiologist with three practices in the same area. Later, when he looked at the x-rays he told me that there was no damage and no need to have had the operation.

So my experience was not good, and I am left with the idea that some french doctors are incompetent and some will operate when there is no need.

When I first went to live in France I thought they might well be the greatest nation of hypochondriacs in the world. My London flat had included a medicine cupboard with paracetamol/Lemsip/plasters and a larger bandage. On arriving at my then partner's family house, the medical cupboard was like a small village pharmacy, crammed with medicines for common viruses and self inflicted illnesses. During the 1980/90s les crises des foies was almost a national sport, perhaps less today as this aspect of the culture has become more moderate. However, the traditional apres noel nationalised gastroenteritis still seems to be doing quite well. Despite the population's hypochondria and a penchant for catastrophism, France is well served by its health professionals.