France: Pharmacists to strike nationwide, demonstrate in major cities May 30

Unionized pharmacists plan to conduct a 24-hour strike across France on May 30 to denounce inflation, medicine shortages, and a bill proposing online sales. As part of the action, demonstrations will take place in urban centers nationwide. The largest gathering will likely take place in Paris, where participants will gather at the Paris Cite University's Faculty of Pharmacy on Avenue de l'Observatoire at 15:30 before marching to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Rue de Bercy. The details of demonstrations in other major cities are as follows:

• Bordeaux: Rally at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Place de la Victoire at 12:00.

• Lille: March from Place de la Republique to the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency on Avenue Willy Brandt at 10:30.

• Lyon: Rally in Place d'Arsonval at 9:30.

• Marseille: Rally in Place de la Prefecture at 14:00.

• Strasbourg: Rally in Place de Broglie at 14:00.

• Toulouse: Rally in Place Saint Etienne at 10:00.

While the gathering in Paris will likely be the largest, attendance figures for the demonstration, as well as for the related demonstrations elsewhere in the country, are unclear. However, the associated strike is expected to be well-observed, likely boosting attendance. Participants may stage impromptu marches through central areas with little warning. Authorities will likely deploy additional police to monitor the larger gatherings in urban centers nationwide. Large crowds and associated security measures will likely prompt localized disruptions. Disruptions to pharmacy services are likely nationwide. Widespread violence is not anticipated.