Most New Caledonian pharmacies have stayed closed for a day in a protest against the government's decision to lower the price of drugs by nine percent.
The action comes amid a wider dispute over the territory's health care policies as professionals have had their fees frozen.
The doctors association has said to get revenue the government should use a sugar tax.
A government spokesperson has told local television that there is no plan to rescind the measures.
She says a key problem is that some pharmacists have huge loans.
