UPSA, little thumb of paracetamol in the shadow of 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 capacity. 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.