France has expanded its list of drugs that face export restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic despite calls from the European Union to lift curbs that threaten to cause shortages in other countries, documents show.

The additional restrictions were adopted two days before EU leaders held a press conference on Thursday meant to strengthen the bloc's financial solidarity in the COVID-19 fight and preserve its common market, which is based on free movement of goods.

Reuters reports EU officials to say the European Commission sent a letter on April 7 to the French government urging it to lift export restrictions on dozens of vital medicines to treat COVID-19 patients.

The French government instead extended the list of drugs covered by the restrictions.

The temporary restrictions apply to those distributors. Manufacturers, such as French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi (SASY.PA), are exempted from the export curbs.

Among drugs that distributors cannot export from France are antibiotics, painkillers, sedatives and muscle relaxants, as well as several drugs being tested as possible treatments for COVID-19, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir, ANSM lists show.

Reuters reports a spokeswoman for the European Commission to say talks were underway to persuade France, a key hub for drugs distribution across Europe, to remove "disproportionate" restrictions. If no compromise is reached, the Commission could take legal action against Paris, she said.

Europe has been hard hit by the pandemic, having registered more than 100,000 fatalities.

Globally, the COVID-19 deaths have exceeded 185,000, with infections going beyond 2.65 million.