French-made paracetamol a sovereignty issue

2024-07-29 04:00:16

“Are you here to buy paracetamol? » On Friday, May 31, in the taxi leaving Agen station, Said talked endlessly about the star drug of the French Pharmacy. No need for a GPS, drivers can memorize the road to the UPSA laboratory factory, installed in the neighboring town since 1971, just 10 minutes from the center of the Plum City. On the bridge across the Garonne River, he made a strong appeal for French-made medicines. “Pharmaceuticals are increasingly in short supply, even of treatments like paracetamol. If we don’t take action, we will soon be unable to treat ourselves! », he shouted from behind the wheel.

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Paracetamol, a star pain reliever in home medicine cabinets and first aid kits, can cause a fever response. It must be said that the amount the French swallow every year is impressive. “By 2023, French pharmacies will sell more than 538 million boxes of paracetamol, with or without a prescription. It is the best-selling drug in France by volume. »David Syr, deputy general manager of the group responsible for statistical data development and production, pointed out that the group is an entity created by pharmaceutical manufacturers to monitor pharmaceutical market data.

Across all conditions, pain relievers of various brands and strengths accounted for nearly 19% of drug boxes reimbursed by health insurance in 2023, not including consumption in hospitals. Eight of the ten most frequently dispensed specialty drugs are paracetamol, with Doliprane 1-gram tablets (173 million boxes sold in 2023) ranking first. Paradoxically, stardom has not stopped Doliprane owner Sanofi from announcing its intention to abandon the iconic drug.

Turnover €1.1 billion

On May 31, 2024, large bags of paracetamol imported from India were in the raw material storage warehouse of the UPSA factory in Ajan.

Headaches, flu, toothache, body aches, menstrual pain, fever, osteoarthritis attacks… Paracetamol was launched on the French market in the mid-1960s and helps treat a range of small to medium-sized daily pains. payment.

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According to market expert Iqvia, the turnover of painkillers will reach approximately 1.1 billion euros by 2023. “Sales are largely dependent on the peak of winter sickness so will vary from year to year”explains Antoine Collet, director of Iqvia France, who points out that two players dominate this market: Sanofi’s consumer health subsidiary Opella and UPSA, which sells Efferalgan and Dafalgan. These two pharmaceutical laboratories alone account for more than 93% of sales, with Sanofi accounting for the largest share, accounting for nearly 71% of the market.

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