Asthma in France: Pollen Season, Inhaler Brands and Pharmacy Access
France's high pollen load, summer ozone peaks, and prescription-only inhaler rules require specific preparation. Here's what to plan before you fly.
What changes when you travel to France with asthma
France's spring grass and birch pollen season runs from April through July and is a documented trigger for asthma exacerbations in the Paris region[8]. Summer ozone levels peak on hot, sunny days[1], adding a second respiratory trigger. All standard asthma inhalers, including salbutamol (Ventoline) and fluticasone (Flixotide), are prescription-only in France[3].
This guide covers medication import rules, French brand name equivalents, how to access a pneumologue (respiratory specialist), emergency communication phrases, and why storing your International Patient Summary in Nomedic removes friction at every step.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your specialist before travelling, particularly regarding changes to your treatment schedule and travel insurance.
Key risks
Key risks for asthma travellers in France
Pollen season and thunderstorm asthma
The Ile-de-France region experienced a thunderstorm asthma episode in June 2023, with a significant increase in emergency department visits for respiratory problems. Check daily pollen forecasts via the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service or the Météo Pollen app before outdoor activities.[1]
Summer ozone peaks
Ozone is the dominant pollutant in Paris on hot, clear summer days and worsens existing bronchial sensitivity. Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early morning when ozone concentrations are lowest, and carry your reliever inhaler at all times.[1]
Prescription-only inhalers and foreign prescription risk
Ventoline (salbutamol) and all inhaled corticosteroids are prescription-only in France. French pharmacies may decline to dispense against a foreign prescription; always carry a sufficient personal supply and a specialist letter in French or English.
Postal medication prohibition
Sending medication to France from outside the EU by post or courier is prohibited for personal use without specific ANSM authorisation. Always carry your full supply in hand luggage when you travel.
Language barrier at pharmacies and hospitals
English is not universally spoken in French pharmacies and public hospital emergency departments. Store the French phrases and your Nomedic IPS offline before you travel so you can communicate your diagnosis and medications instantly.
Preparation checklist
- See your respiratory specialist 4-6 weeks before travel — Get an updated written management plan and a specialist letter in French or English confirming your diagnosis, medications by INN, and action steps for an exacerbation.
- Carry a 3-month personal supply — French customs permit up to 3 months of non-controlled medication for personal use; bring your full supply in original packaging with your prescription.
- Check your inhaler device compatibility — Pressurised MDI canisters used in France (Ventoline, Flixotide) may differ in valve size; confirm your spacer works with French devices or pack a spare.
- Download the Météo Pollen or Copernicus pollen app — Grass and birch pollen levels spike from April to July in the Paris basin; check forecasts daily before outdoor activity.
- Save French emergency numbers offline — SAMU (medical emergencies): 15; police: 17; pan-European: 112.
- Create your IPS in Nomedic — Your International Patient Summary includes diagnosis, medications (INN and brand), allergies, and emergency contacts; it works offline and generates a QR code any clinician can scan.
- Obtain or verify your EHIC/GHIC if eligible — EU/EEA/UK travellers should confirm their card is in date; others should purchase a Schengen-compliant travel policy covering at least €30,000 (~$35,300) in medical expenses.
- Pack your reliever inhaler in hand luggage — Never place asthma inhalers in checked baggage; pressurised canisters are permitted in cabin baggage under IATA rules.
- Note the 24-hour pharmacy line — Call 3237 or visit 3237.fr to locate the nearest duty pharmacy (pharmacie de garde) anywhere in France outside normal hours.
- Find a pneumologue near your destination — Use Nomedic's provider search or the Ameli directory (ameli.fr) to identify a respiratory specialist before you travel and save the address offline.
Documents to carry
Documents to carry when travelling to France with asthma
French pharmacies and public hospitals require original prescriptions in French or English[2]; the Nomedic app keeps all your critical documents accessible offline in a single place.
Your International Patient Summary (IPS)
Your Nomedic IPS contains your asthma diagnosis, all medications listed by INN and brand name, known allergens, and emergency contacts, formatted to the HL7 IPS standard recognised across EU health systems. In France, showing your IPS to a pneumologue or emergency triage nurse removes the need to explain your history verbally and avoids dangerous transcription errors when brand names differ.
Full document checklist
Keep the following accessible on your phone and ready to share. Your Nomedic IPS covers items 1 and 6 automatically.
- ·Your Nomedic IPS Covers your asthma diagnosis, medications by INN and brand, allergies, and functional status. Works offline with a shareable QR code.
- ·Specialist letter Must state your diagnosis, medications by INN and brand, dosing regimen, and a contact number for your prescribing clinician; written in French or English[2].
- ·Prescriptions with INN names Carry original prescriptions listing each medication by its International Nonproprietary Name[3]; French pharmacists will recognise INN names even when brand names differ.
- ·EHIC, GHIC, or insurance card Present at the time of any consultation; EU/EEA/UK card holders must show it at admission to access Assurance Maladie reimbursement rates[7].
- ·Travel insurance schedule Policy number and insurer's 24-hour assistance line saved in your Nomedic profile.
- ·France emergency numbers SAMU (medical emergencies): 15. Police: 17. Fire/first responders: 18. Pan-European: 112. Duty pharmacy finder: 3237. Saved offline in Nomedic.
Medications advice
Bringing your asthma medications to France
French customs administered by la Douane permit a personal supply of up to three months of non-controlled prescription medication, provided the quantity is consistent with personal therapeutic use. Carry your original prescription (in French or English) and your specialist letter; if your documents are in any other language, bring a certified translation.[2]
Do not post your medication to France.
Sending prescription medication to France from outside the EU by post or courier is prohibited for personal use without specific authorisation from the ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament). Always carry your full supply in person in hand luggage.
Asthma medications: brand names, INNs, and France availability
All common asthma medications are available in France under local brand names; use the INN with your pharmacist to confirm the correct equivalent. All are prescription-only (sur ordonnance).[3]
Store at room temperature; pressurised canister, keep away from heat above 50°C.
Oral leukotriene antagonist; not a controlled substance in France.
Ibuprofen and aspirin can worsen asthma in sensitive individuals
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen and aspirin are widely available OTC in French pharmacies. If you have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, notify your pharmacist or any treating clinician in France before receiving any NSAID. Ask for paracetamol (Doliprane, Dafalgan) as an alternative.
Travelling with pressurised inhalers
IATA rules permit pressurised aerosol inhalers in cabin baggage; the following steps apply on every journey to or within France.
Your medication list, ready to share.
Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency, readable by any clinician worldwide.
At your destination
Healthcare and prescriptions in France
France's national health system is Assurance Maladie. EU/EEA and UK travellers holding a valid EHIC or GHIC card access state-provided care at the same rates as residents; Assurance Maladie reimburses 70% of the regulated tariff, leaving a patient co-payment (ticket modérateur) of 30%. A standard GP consultation (médecin généraliste) costs €30 (~$35) from December 2024; specialist consultations typically range from €40 to €62 (~$47 to ~$73). Travellers without EHIC/GHIC access pay full cost upfront and claim reimbursement through travel insurance.[5][6]
French pharmacies will dispense asthma inhalers against a French prescription issued during your trip. Against a foreign prescription, dispensing is at the pharmacist's discretion and is not guaranteed. If you need an emergency supply and lack a local prescription, visit a médecin généraliste or an emergency department (urgences) who can issue an ordonnance on the same day.[4]
Reliever inhalers are dispensed at retail pharmacies
Ventoline (salbutamol) and inhaled corticosteroids are stocked at standard French pharmacies (pharmacies indicated by a green cross sign). For an emergency supply without a French prescription, attend a GP or the emergency department and request an ordonnance; bring your Nomedic IPS and your original specialist letter.
Finding an asthma specialist
Respiratory specialists in France are called pneumologues and work in both public hospital pneumology departments (service de pneumologie) and private outpatient clinics (cabinets libéraux). Most require an appointment; same-day availability is rare outside hospital urgences. The Ameli directory at ameli.fr lists all conventionné (state-registered) pneumologues by postcode. Find a specialist near your destination using Nomedic's provider search and save the address and phone number offline before you travel.
Search for providers near your destination
Use Nomedic's provider search to find pneumologues and respiratory services in France. Save the address and phone number offline before you travel.
If your inhaler runs out or is lost in France
Losing a reliever inhaler does not require a hospital visit if your symptoms are currently controlled. Salbutamol (Ventoline) is stocked at virtually every pharmacy in France and can be obtained rapidly once you have a French prescription in hand.
Managing pollen, ozone and air quality day to day
Grass pollen is the primary trigger during Paris summers, with high levels recorded from May through July. Ozone concentrations rise on hot, clear days, particularly in July and August when Paris regularly records temperatures above 30°C.[1]
Check the Atmo Ile-de-France air quality index (index ATMO) each morning via their app or airparif.fr; a colour-coded alert (mauvais to très mauvais) means outdoor exertion should be rescheduled. During high-pollen days, keep windows closed in your accommodation and rinse hands and face after time outdoors. Paris's metro and RER networks are air-conditioned and provide an indoor alternative for cross-city travel on peak ozone days. Thunderstorm forecasts require extra caution; stay indoors during and immediately after a storm in the Paris region.
Worsening symptoms during a storm are not a routine reaction
Thunderstorm asthma involves a rapid, severe increase in wheeze and breathlessness beyond typical pollen-triggered symptoms. If symptoms do not improve within 15 minutes of using your reliever inhaler or worsen after a storm, follow the guidance in the Emergency tab immediately.
French phrases for clinicians
Show your Nomedic IPS first, it removes the need to explain your diagnosis verbally. If verbal communication is needed:
“J'ai de l'asthme.”
I have asthma.
“J'ai une crise d'asthme.”
I am having an asthma attack.
“J'ai besoin d'un pneumologue.”
I need a respiratory specialist.
“Je prends de la Ventoline et du Flixotide pour mon asthme.”
I take Ventoline and Flixotide for my asthma.
“OĂą est le service des urgences le plus proche?”
Where is the nearest emergency department?
“J'ai besoin d'un approvisionnement d'urgence de mon inhalateur.”
I need an emergency supply of my inhaler.
Insurance considerations
What to know about travel insurance
An unplanned hospital admission for an acute exacerbation in France (including emergency bronchodilator treatment and observation) can cost several hundred euros out of pocket for travellers without adequate cover. Ensure your policy explicitly names asthma and covers emergency medication replacement.
What to look for in a policy
Not just 'pre-existing conditions covered'. Your condition should be named on the schedule.
Covers repatriation if local hospital care is insufficient for a severe episode.
Covers emergency replacement if your inhaler is lost, damaged, or delayed in checked baggage.
So someone can communicate with French clinicians on your behalf.
What to declare at application
Declare thoroughly. Incomplete disclosure can invalidate your entire policy, not just the asthma-related claim.
State whether your asthma is mild, moderate, or severe, and whether it is currently controlled.
Use the INN alongside the brand name, for example, salbutamol (Ventoline) and fluticasone (Flixotide).
Include whether you required oral corticosteroids, emergency care, or hospitalisation.
Include allergic rhinitis, eczema, or any other atopic condition that may influence the premium.
Your policy number and emergency assistance line, saved alongside your IPS and accessible offline.
An EHIC or GHIC card entitles EU/EEA/UK holders to state-provided medically necessary care in France at the same cost as residents, including emergency hospital treatment and prescriptions issued by a French doctor. However, it does not cover repatriation, private clinic fees, or replacement of medication you brought from home. A separate travel insurance policy remains essential.
Emergency protocol
When to go to the emergency department
A severe attack is signalled by a reliever inhaler providing no improvement after 15 minutes, inability to complete full sentences, or worsening breathlessness at rest. Call SAMU on 15 before travelling to hospital so an ambulance can be dispatched or you can be directed to the nearest urgences. Contact your travel insurer's assistance line as soon as you are stable.
When you arrive, follow in order
Full clinical picture in seconds, no verbal explanation needed.
Hand your phone to the triage nurse:
J'ai une crise d'asthme grave. Je prends de la Ventoline et du Flixotide.
I am having a severe asthma attack. I take Ventoline and Flixotide.
Hand over your prescription list with INNs and doses; include any oral corticosteroids you may be on.
If you have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, communicate this immediately before any analgesic is administered.
Calls and location
For any medical emergency in France, call SAMU on 15 for a medical assessment and ambulance dispatch. Call 18 for fire and first responders. Pan-European emergency number: 112. Note your exact address or the nearest street intersection to give the operator.
In hospital
French emergency departments routinely offer ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief. If you have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, tell the treating clinician explicitly before any analgesia is given. Your Nomedic IPS allergen field should document this.
After any emergency
Before you leave the hospital if possible.
Required for insurer reimbursement and continuity of care with your home specialist.
Open Nomedic and tap Share to generate a QR code any clinician can scan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my asthma medication into France?
Yes. French customs permit a personal supply of up to three months of non-controlled asthma medication; carry your inhalers in original packaging with your original prescription or specialist letter.[2]
Do not post inhalers to France
Mailing prescription medication to France from outside the EU for personal use requires specific ANSM authorisation; packages are typically seized and destroyed at customs.
Are asthma inhalers available in French pharmacies?
Yes, salbutamol (Ventoline), inhaled corticosteroids (Bécotide, Flixotide), and combination inhalers (Seretide) are all stocked at standard French pharmacies. All require a French prescription (ordonnance); obtain one from a GP (médecin généraliste) or emergency department if you need a replacement.
What are the emergency numbers in France?
SAMU (ambulance/medical)
15
Police
17
Fire / first responders
18
Pan-European emergency
112
Duty pharmacy (pharmacie de garde)
3237
How can I communicate my asthma diagnosis in an emergency in France?
Show your Nomedic IPS first. If verbal communication is needed:
“J'ai de l'asthme.”
I have asthma.
“Je prends de la Ventoline et du Flixotide pour mon asthme.”
I take Ventoline and Flixotide for my asthma.
When is pollen season in France and how does it affect asthma?
Birch tree pollen peaks in April, and grass pollen runs from May through July in the Paris basin. Ozone concentrations compound pollen exposure on hot summer days. The Ile-de-France region recorded a thunderstorm asthma event in June 2023 that generated a spike in emergency department respiratory presentations.
Check Airparif daily
Airparif (airparif.fr) publishes the daily ATMO air quality index and pollen forecast for the Ile-de-France region. A 'mauvais' or 'très mauvais' index warrants staying indoors and rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity.
Do I need special travel insurance to visit France with asthma?
Standard travel insurance policies frequently exclude pre-existing respiratory conditions; a policy that does not explicitly name asthma as covered may decline claims for an acute exacerbation. EHIC/GHIC cardholders still need supplementary insurance for repatriation and private clinic costs.
Declare thoroughly
Subtype and current control status, current medications by INN, date and severity of last exacerbation, and associated atopic conditions. Incomplete disclosure invalidates the entire policy.
Sources
- [1] Paris air quality monitoring for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics — PMC / NIH
- [2] French Customs (Douane) — Private individuals carrying medicinal products
- [3] ANSM — Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé
- [4] Connexion France — Can you send medication to France from the US or UK?
- [5] Service-Public.fr — Rates for GP and specialist consultations from December 2024
- [6] Connexion France — New GP and specialist consultation fees starting December 2024
- [7] European Commission — EHIC guidance for EU travellers
- [8] Airparif — Ile-de-France air quality and pollen monitoring
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