France’s Health Sovereignty at Risk as Supply Shortages Increase
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of public health systems worldwide, and France is no exception. Despite efforts to strengthen the country’s health sovereignty, shortages of essential drugs have been on the rise for several years. In 2016, there were 405 tensions or shortages of supplies, a number that increased to 2446 in 2020.
France’s diminishing independence in health matters is evident in its declining position as a pharmaceutical producer in Europe. The country has moved from being the top producer to the fifth, behind Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. France is also lagging behind in various fields, particularly biomedicines, and has experienced a loss of efficiency in research and development.
In response to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, investments have been announced to strengthen France’s autonomy in the health sector. The Health plan includes a commitment of 7.5 billion euros in investments until 2030, and France Relance will provide 150 million euros to support industrial projects. Some relocation announcements have already been made, such as Seqens’ production of the active principle of paracetamol and Pierre Fabre’s production of the active principle of the anti-cancer drug Binimetinib.
However, France is slow to produce a list of priority molecules for production. The challenge lies in relocating the production of active ingredients, which is currently dominated by Asia. Asia produces 56% of active ingredients, and 80% of the active ingredients of drugs in the public domain are produced in India and China.
The production of active ingredients is a crucial but restrictive and polluting step in the drug production process. While formulation and packaging can be easily carried out in France, the country remains dependent on imports of active ingredients. This dependence is due to production costs, demanding European environmental standards that lead some players to locate production in less environmentally scrupulous territories, and the disinterest of laboratories in the production phase, which is deemed less profitable.
The difficulty of relocating production is often attributed to price considerations, especially since many subcontractors specialize in manufacturing inexpensive generics. The annual reduction in prices imposed to limit health insurance expenditure further pressures manufacturing costs and incentivizes certain players to prioritize other markets over the French market.
To strengthen French production capacities and ensure health sovereignty, several measures must be taken. These include establishing a fixed list of priority molecules to be produced in France and the European Union, guaranteeing transparency in the drug chain, integrating elements such as dependence, security of supply, and environmental impact into pricing criteria, reviewing mechanisms for distributing value in the value chain, and promoting public or cooperative productions.
The question of health sovereignty raises concerns about the collective price of independence. As France strives to strengthen its health system, it must address these challenges to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of essential drugs.
How can stronger collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and healthcare providers address the supply shortages of essential drugs in France’s healthcare system
Tion as part of its health sovereignty strategy. This delay could further hinder efforts to address the supply shortages and regain independence in the pharmaceutical sector.
The increasing reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly in China and India, also poses a risk to France’s health sovereignty. These countries have become major players in the production of essential drugs, and any disruptions in the supply chains could have devastating consequences for France’s healthcare system.
Furthermore, the lack of coordination and communication between different actors in the healthcare sector is hindering progress in addressing the supply shortages. There is a need for stronger collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and healthcare providers to ensure a steady supply of essential drugs.
In addition to the shortages of essential drugs, France is also facing challenges in the production of medical devices, such as masks and ventilators. The pandemic has exposed the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers, and efforts are being made to increase domestic production capacity to avoid future shortages.
Overall, France’s health sovereignty is at risk as supply shortages continue to increase. The government’s efforts to strengthen autonomy in the health sector are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues and ensure a reliable supply of essential drugs and medical devices.
This article highlights the importance of strengthening France’s health sovereignty through addressing supply disruptions and promoting domestic production. It is crucial to prioritize self-reliance in healthcare to ensure the country’s preparedness for unforeseen circumstances, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it evident that France needs to prioritize its health sovereignty by tackling supply disruptions and boosting domestic production. This article sheds light on the crucial steps required to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and ensure its readiness to combat any future challenges.