It before shortage of medicines, The MPs are putting pressure on the pharmaceutical industry. The National Assembly passed unanimously on Thursday, February 29th a socialist bill aimed at this “Strengthening commitments” causing manufacturers to build up inventories. The text paves the way for the inclusion of minimum stocks in the law and provides for increased sanctions for non-compliance with these obligations.
“It is an indescribable torment not to have access to the medicines we need (…) for parents, for patients »defended the socialist MP Valérie Rabault, author of the text that must now go to the Senate.
“The number of drug shortages has increased tenfold in ten years”the deputy insisted, saying she did “Awareness that the core of the issue remains production”and demand “A medium and long-term industrial strategy”.
The text adopted on Thursday and modified in particular by the general rapporteur for the social security budget Stéphanie Rist (Renaissance) provides for the inclusion in the law of minimum stocks that are currently only provided for in a decree. For medicines they would generally be between a minimum of one week and a maximum of four months.
Another area remains “Drugs of great therapeutic interest” (MITM), namely those where interruption of treatment is likely to jeopardize the vital prognosis of patients in the short or medium term or result in a significant loss of opportunities for patients. In this case, the minimum and maximum storage limits would increase to a minimum of two months and a maximum of four months.
Increased sanctions
In certain cases established by decree, the Director of the Medicines Agency (ANSM) could prescribe smaller stocks. However, there would also be the possibility, after acceptance of an amendment by MMe Rabault to mandate supplies of up to six months for MITMs where a stock shortage or threat of a shortage is highlighted or explained.
“An increase in medication stocks or even a mandatory obligation are not the be-all and end-all when dealing with shortages.”warned Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux, stressing that in addition to the need to relocate part of production in Europe, it is also necessary to address the unequal distribution of stocks on French territory and beyond “the visibility of these stocks”.
The bill also envisages transferring on-site and on-site control powers to the ANSM, but also increasing the penalties provided for by law, which could reach up to 50% of the turnover of the last financial year for the medicinal product in question, with the upper limit being 5 million euros will be increased (compared to the current 30% and 1 million euros).
