At a time when community pharmacies are undergoing profound changes—marked by economic pressures, structural reforms, and new public health challenges—students are making their voices heard. Syrine Ayed, spokesperson for the ANEPF, discusses the profession’s expectations for 2026, the reform of postgraduate pharmaceutical studies, and the ANEPF’s commitment to student mental health.

 

 

Agnes Jacobs: After a summer marked by tensions and protests—notably involving pharmacy students standing alongside community pharmacists—the fall has begun with a mixed picture for community pharmacies. The year 2026 promises uncertainty, but also progress and opportunities. What are your predictions and hopes for community pharmacies in 2026?

Syrine Ayed: We decided to stand in solidarity with community pharmacists on September 18. This mobilization was driven by the risk of a collapse in the regional healthcare network, even more so than by economic concerns alone. There was a real risk associated with the impact of the measures on generic drugs and the pharmacy sector. We are closely monitoring the work being carried out as part of the joint mission by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (IGAS) and the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), which aims to review the pharmacy sector.

As pharmacy students, we also have a role to play. Many students work in community pharmacies: this helps both support pharmacists with their staffing needs and address the financial challenges faced by students. The issue of regional coverage is also key: we have given this a great deal of thought and will return to it later.

Above all, we hope that effective public policies will be implemented to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage throughout France. While there are no “pharmacy deserts” yet, “medical deserts” are very much a reality. It is essential that everyone have access to healthcare without having to travel 40 kilometers.

We hope that this initiative will succeed and help build a genuine model for community pharmacy that is less dependent on the price of individual medications, by expanding the scope of services. The goal is to enable pharmacists to become true public health leaders, with greater responsibilities in providing more comprehensive care for patients.

 

Agnes Jacobs: The legislation reforming postgraduate pharmaceutical studies has just been approved by the National Council for Higher Education and Research. After nearly ten years of work, the past few weeks have marked a decisive turning point. Could you explain the work of the ANEPF, your expectations, the major changes brought about by the reform, as well as the remaining areas of uncertainty?

Syrine Ayed: The reform of postgraduate education began nine years ago. Its goal is to establish a specialized studies diploma (DES) for the pharmacy and industry-research tracks. The hospital and medical biology tracks have already had these diplomas since 2017 and 2019. Since around 2018, we have therefore been working on the short-cycle programs.

The DES program aims to develop students' skills rather than focusing solely on knowledge. A competency framework has been developed in collaboration with the deans of the faculties to better prepare students for their future careers.

The pharmacy track required the most work. Currently, students complete a six-month internship in a pharmacy. The reform calls for extending this to nine months, interspersed with periods of classroom instruction, with each faculty organizing the schedule according to its own structure. This could, for example, involve three weeks in a pharmacy followed by one week at the faculty.

The issue of validating the internship and the thesis was also a key focus. The portfolio was introduced: it serves as the equivalent of a DES thesis and allows students to complete their sixth-year internship. For the industry, the situation is different, as students are already pursuing a Master’s 2 degree with a thesis; therefore, the addition of a portfolio remains under discussion.

Regarding the thesis, a compromise has been reached with the entire profession: students will have one academic year after completing their sixth year to complete it.

Increasing the stipend for sixth-year pharmacy internships is also a key issue. Currently, it stands at around 600 euros. The goal is to raise this amount and ensure its funding. The model is based on the Social Security Financing Act: pharmacies would pay the stipend and then be reimbursed by the Health Insurance Fund. This process must be clearly defined and regulated, particularly through the collective bargaining agreement for community pharmacies. At this stage, the lack of a formal guarantee from the government remains a point of concern, pending a document expected in 2026.

Finally, the role of regional health agencies raises questions. Under the approved legislation, the ARS would become the decision-makers regarding the accreditation of clinical supervisors. This could result in placements far from the universities, creating housing difficulties for students. We believe that accreditation should remain the responsibility of deans, who know their clinical instructors and can respond quickly in case of difficulties. Otherwise, there is a risk of administrative red tape and a decrease in the number of clinical instructors in the name of regional policies.

 

Agnes Jacobs: Mental health is at the heart of the PharmagoraPlus 2026 program. You’ve just launched a confidential helpline for students. Can you tell us more about your approach to this issue?

Syrine Ayed: Last year, we conducted a survey on the mental health of pharmacy students. The results are very concerning: one in three students believes that their studies are the cause of their distress, and nearly 50% show signs of possible anxiety according to diagnostic questionnaires.

In light of these findings, we have taken a stand and proposed several measures. In particular, we are calling for the creation of a mental health observatory for all students, as this issue is not limited to the field of pharmacy. We are also calling on public authorities to take concrete action.

The National Student Support Coordination Office (CNAE) already exists, but it remains relatively unknown and underutilized. That is why we decided to set up a helpline. It allows students to speak freely and confidentially over the phone, a method of communication that 68% of respondents consider more accessible in an emergency.

Our role is to listen, assess the situation, and refer students to mental health professionals or specialized services, such as suicide prevention hotlines or Nightline. Three staff members at ANEPF staff this hotline; they have been trained in mental health first aid. The data collected is used solely to improve the service, which will be evaluated in collaboration with our professional partners.

Beyond this, we are asking universities to promote existing awareness campaigns and the government to develop more of them, in order to destigmatize mental health. The goal is to enable students to enjoy their studies with peace of mind and feel free to speak up.

 

Agnes Jacobs: Finally, why do you think pharmacists and pharmacy students should attend PharmagoraPlus 2026?

Syrine Ayed: PharmagoraPlus is a unifying event that brings together all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. It offers students a unique opportunity to meet established professionals and build their future careers, regardless of their chosen field. The booths cater to all career paths in pharmacy.

It is also a key opportunity to stay informed about the latest developments in the pharmaceutical industry through roundtables, plenary sessions, and lectures. When you are not yet working in the field, it can be difficult to keep up with changes in the profession: this trade show provides a chance to better understand the realities of community pharmacy and to adapt your career plans accordingly, even in a context that can sometimes be challenging for pharmacists.

 

From reforms in pharmacy education to evolving roles in community pharmacies and growing awareness of student well-being, the challenges facing the pharmacy sector today affect the entire profession. For Syrine Ayed, the future of community pharmacies depends on greater recognition of professional competencies, maintaining a robust regional network, and placing a stronger focus on those who will shape the future of pharmacy. These are all topics that will fuel discussions and debates at PharmagoraPlus 2026.