2024-11-23 14:35:00
The laboratory owned by a Japanese family group still suffers from a lack of awareness compared to Sanofi’s Doliprane.
When the partial sale of Doliprane to an American investment fund in October panicked the political world, quick to brandish the threat of future shortages of paracetamol, UPSA stamped its feet. “Every second, 18 boxes of UPSA paracetamol are produced in France and this is not about to stoprecalls the laboratory. UPSA is in a good position to guarantee the availability of essential medicines for all French people».
UPSA is wise to point this out because its two brands, Dafalgan and Efferalgan, suffer from a strong lack of awareness in France. Paracetamol today represents 75% of UPSA’s sales. But the laboratory remains a small thumb on this market in France, largely dominated by Doliprane from Sanofi, whose name is often used as a generic term to talk about paracetamol. Last year, 330 million boxes of Doliprane were dispensed in pharmacies, and 308 million boxes prescribed, compared to only 71 million for Dafalgan, UPSA’s leading brand.
No threat of paracetamol shortage
If UPSA produces 100% of its drugs in France in Agen, the laboratory, once owned by the American laboratory BMS, was bought in 2019 by the Japanese Taishu pharmaceutical, a family company – proof that production in France and foreign shareholders are not not necessarily contradictory. “Before this acquisition, we were losing market share on paracetamol in France. We stopped losing money because we reinvested. And we earn it abroad”explains Isabelle Van Rycke, the group’s CEO. UPSA exports 55% of the paracetamol produced. It claims to be number one in Belgium, Greece and Switzerland.
Each year, it invests 17 million euros to increase its production capacities. It will soon be capable of producing 450 million boxes per year, almost as much as all the boxes of paracetamol sold each year in France. Enough to ward off the threat of a shortage. During the Covid pandemic and just after, when pharmacies were deploring stock shortages of Doliprane, “we could serve the market”recalls the CEO. In January 2023, the laboratory made the decision to reallocate significant quantities of pediatric paracetamol to France, in order to once again compensate for shortages in pharmacies.
Women’s health
Beyond this star molecule, UPSA intends to develop on its own two feet: drugs (Dafalgan, Efferalgan, Fervex, Betaine citrate, Donormyl, etc.) which today represent 95% of its turnover (500 million euros planned in 2024), and the wellness segment, which includes food supplements and women’s health. A month ago, UPSA acquired Sérélys pharma, which markets natural treatments for hot flashes and other symptoms linked to hormonal changes in women.
UPSA’s turnover has already increased by 35% over the past 3 years. “50% of this growth comes from market share gains on our historic brands, the rest coming from well-being», Specifies the CEO. The laboratory also intends to develop its turnover abroad. It already markets its drugs in 30 countries.
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– How has the acquisition by Taishu pharmaceutical affected UPSA’s operational strategies and international market presence?
**Interview with Isabelle Van Rycke, CEO of UPSA**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Isabelle. Recent discussions around the partial sale of Doliprane to an American investment fund have raised concerns about a potential shortage of paracetamol in France. How does UPSA respond to these fears?
**Isabelle Van Rycke:** Thank you for having me. We’re confident in our position as a key player in the paracetamol market. Every second, we produce 18 boxes of UPSA paracetamol in France, and I want to assure everyone that there will be no interruption in our supply. We feel well-positioned to guarantee the availability of essential medicines for all French people.
**Interviewer:** While UPSA produces enough to meet needs, it seems that paracetamol consumption heavily favors Doliprane. How does this impact UPSA’s brand awareness in France?
**Isabelle Van Rycke:** Indeed, парaestАts, like our Dafalgan and Efferalgan brands, are not as widely recognized as Doliprane. Paracetamol accounts for 75% of our sales, yet we only sold 71 million boxes of Dafalgan last year compared to 330 million for Doliprane. We’re here to change that narrative and ensure that the public is aware of our products, which are equally effective.
**Interviewer:** Given that UPSA is fully based in France and produces all its products locally, can you tell us how the acquisition by Japan’s Taishu pharmaceutical in 2019 has influenced your operations?
**Isabelle Van Rycke:** The acquisition has been a game-changer for us. Before joining Taishu, we were losing market share and struggling financially. The investment allowed us to focus on innovation and expansion, which has boosted our international exports significantly—now we export 55% of our produced paracetamol and are the leading brand in countries like Belgium and Greece.
**Interviewer:** What are your future plans for production capacity and investment in UPSA?
**Isabelle Van Rycke:** We’re committed to investing 17 million euros each year to enhance our production capabilities. Soon, we’ll be able to produce 450 million boxes annually, which is nearly equal to the total amount of paracetamol sold in France. This capability will be crucial in ensuring that we can meet domestic needs and prevent any shortage.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Isabelle, for sharing these insights and reassuring the public about the availability of paracetamol in France.
**Isabelle Van Rycke:** Thank you for having me. We remain dedicated to serving the health needs of our community.
