The last week of September 2026 focuses on several regulatory decisions and health alerts that significantly change the management of certain patients in France. Tensions over a common antidepressant, an expansion of the list of biosimilars, an alert regarding an oral contraceptive, and new positions from the WHO on the global medical workforce: these topics deserve attention.
Tensions over fluoxetine 20 mg: what the ANSM is asking of prescribers
On September 25, 2026, the ANSM published a situation report on the supply tensions for fluoxetine 20 mg. Temporary production difficulties have led the Agency to implement a quantitative restriction and an export ban, measures that have been active since early September.
The directive addressed to healthcare professionals is clear: prioritize new prescriptions of fluoxetine for certain depressive episodes in children and adolescents. The goal is to preserve the continuity of ongoing treatments for adult and pediatric patients.
Pharmacy availability is expected to normalize by mid-October. Until then, patients on fluoxetine experiencing stock shortages at pharmacies can consult their doctor to consider an alternative. The ANSM emphasizes one point: do not interrupt an antidepressant treatment without medical advice.
Occasional shortages of psychiatric medications have been a recurring issue in France for several years. This new episode raises the question of securing production chains for medications with a narrow therapeutic margin.
Several professionals regularly share health news on zone-sante.fr that allow for real-time tracking of such tensions, particularly for pharmacists faced with substitution requests.
Desogestrel contraception and meningioma risk: the ANSM alert
On September 10, 2026, the ANSM published a Q&A document on the meningioma risk associated with desogestrel-based contraceptives. The Agency sent an information letter to affected adult women as well as healthcare professionals.
The main message is clear: do not interrupt contraception without medical advice. The identified risk warrants monitoring, not panic. Women using this type of oral contraceptive are encouraged to consult their doctor or midwife to assess the relevance of continuing or changing their contraceptive method.
This alert is part of a broader context of reevaluation of progestins by French health authorities. Following alerts about cyproterone acetate and nomegestrol acetate in recent years, desogestrel joins the list of substances under enhanced vigilance for this type of tumor risk.
Biosimilars in France: expansion of the reference list
A decision by the ANSM published on September 25, 2026, added several similar biological drugs to the reference list of similar biological groups. Among the molecules concerned: insulin lispro, teriparatide, and ranibizumab.
The stakes are twofold:
- Strengthen competition among biological treatments to reduce care costs, particularly for diabetic patients on insulin lispro and patients treated for osteoporosis with teriparatide
- Improve access to certain expensive ophthalmological treatments like ranibizumab, used in age-related macular degeneration
- Consolidate the French regulatory framework regarding biosimilar substitution in pharmacies, a subject that remains governed by strict conditions
Field feedback varies on patient acceptance of biosimilars. Some prescribers report hesitance related to the perception of reduced efficacy, although available data do not allow for a conclusion of a significant clinical difference between a biosimilar and its reference drug.
WHO report on global medical workforce: a quarter of doctors nearing retirement
On September 18, 2026, the WHO published a report warning about the aging of the global medical workforce. The central finding: one in four doctors is approaching retirement age. This figure raises questions about succession in already strained healthcare systems.
The report is not limited to a demographic snapshot. It highlights a growing gap between the healthcare needs of populations and the capacity to train new healthcare professionals. Middle-income countries are the most exposed, but European countries are not spared, including France, where rural medical deserts have been expanding for over a decade.
Covid-19 in September 2026: a moderate resurgence linked to the new school year
Consultations for suspected Covid-19 infections are on the rise with the return of September 2026. This seasonal resurgence, observed every year since the pandemic, remains moderate for now according to available surveillance data.
The virus continues to circulate quietly, with occasional spikes linked to gatherings in school and professional settings. Health authorities have not changed their vaccination recommendations at this stage, but the autumn vaccination campaign is expected to include the most recent variants.
The coming weeks will determine whether this increase remains contained or if it signals a more pronounced wave before winter. Public Health France’s data on emergency room visits and hospitalizations remain the most reliable indicators for monitoring the situation’s evolution.
