France updates medical ethics code and physician certification requirements

France is implementing significant updates to medical regulations and professional requirements. A new decree modernizing the Medical Code of Ethics has been published, addressing contemporary issues such as patient rights, digital health, artificial intelligence, data protection, and the fight against violence to adapt to societal and technological shifts.

Additionally, periodic certification has been mandatory for all physicians since January 1, 2023. This six-year cycle focuses on four pillars: updating knowledge and skills, improving care quality, enhancing patient relationships, and managing physician health. Each specialty follows its own specific framework.

In public health news, vaccination rates for influenza among French citizens aged 65 and older reached 53.7% during the 2024-2025 winter, falling short of the 75% government target. Meanwhile, the Haute Autorité de Santé has issued a favorable opinion on a project allowing private practitioners and health centers to procure and stock vaccines directly, a move intended to simplify the vaccination process.