France to 're-shore' production of 50 key medicines: Macron

Pallade Veneta - France to 're-shore' production of 50 key medicines: Macron

HEALTH 13.06.2023

France to 're-shore' production of 50 key medicines: Macron / Photo: ERIC GAILLARD - POOL/AFP

France will bring home production of around 50 crucial medications for which it currently depends on imports, President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday, hoping to battle shortages of items like antibiotics and paracetamol.

Change text size:

Of the initial slate of drugs with a "clear dependence on imports from outside the EU", 25 "will have their production re-shored or significantly increased... in the coming weeks," Macron said during a visit to a pharmaceuticals factory in southern France.

The announcement comes after a March survey by pollsters BVA found 37 percent of people had already run into shortages at the pharmacy.

Up to 80 percent of familiar medications like antibiotics and painkillers used in France are produced abroad, especially in China.

Some of the drugs are still made in France, but at volumes that fail to match demand.

Over the winter, Europe faced shortages of key antibiotic amoxicillin and other medications as surging illnesses particularly among children have increased demand for the drugs.

Under Macron's plan, public money to the tune of 160 million euros ($173 million) will go to support eight of the new projects, including for amoxycillin -- produced by British pharma giant GSK in northwestern France -- as well as anaesthetics, painkillers and cancer drugs.

Companies would be able to apply for a share of a further 50 million euros in funding, Macron said.

The 50 drugs flagged by Macron are among a list of 450 drawn up by the health ministry for which "we must absolutely secure our supply chains, either by completely re-shoring or diversifying (supply) and continuing to innovate," the president said.

Tuesday's pharma announcements mark the first step in a week dedicated to industrial projects, which Macron hopes will move public attention on from the battles over his widely-disliked pension reform.

B.Fortunato--PV

Seacliff Healthcare Seeks Specialist GP in Thirroul

Seacliff Healthcare, located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, is seeking a Specialist General Practitioner to join its team. The practice, situated near Thirroul village station, currently supports five GPs and has capacity for additional medical staff with onsite pathology and allied health services.

India proposes more import entry points for drugs and medical devices

New Delhi The Union Health Ministry has proposed expanding the network of authorised import gateways for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics by adding several inland container depots, a special economic zone and an international airport to facilitate faster clearance and improve supply chain efficiency. The proposed amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, seeks to include additional entry points in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Karnataka, as reported by a gazette notification issued by the

Why Pregnancy Cost Estimates Fail: A Family’s $9,000 Surprise

Grace Griffin thought she had calculated her pregnancy expenses accurately until bills exceeded $9,000—more than triple her insurer’s estimate. Her experience highlights a systemic failure in healthcare transparency, as federal rules designed to provide accurate cost predictions remain unimplemented. With maternity billing codes set to change next year, experts urge parents to master insurance details and verify every bill.

Kuwait inspectors destroy 115 kilograms of unverified meat in Farwaniya

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) issued nine violation reports and destroyed 115 kilograms of meat of unknown origin during an inspection tour of food establishments in Farwaniya Governorate, the authority announced on Monday. The tour was carried out by the authority’s Farwaniya food inspection department.