President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that starting in 2023, anybody under the age of 25 will have free access to condoms in pharmacies.
This action, which comes at a time when household budgets are being squeezed by high inflation, aims to combat a spike in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people.
The initiative was primarily intended for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, but Macron said on Friday that minors will also be allowed to get the free condoms, calling it “a modest revolution in prevention.”
We don’t yet know the plan’s specifics or how much it will cost.
According to French health officials, the rate of STDs increased nationwide by nearly 30% in both 2020 and 2021.
Since December 2018, French Social Security has been paying for condoms that are prescribed by a doctor or a midwife as part of the battle against AIDS and STIs.
Additionally, minors with valid prescriptions or those who inquire, at a school health center are entitled to free condoms.
However, according to the French president’s office, just 21% of minors and 29% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 are aware of these programs.
