The President of the Republic affirmed in 2021 his desire to make France the European leader in health innovation. As an innovative pharmaceutical laboratory, this announcement resonated strongly within our company: France benefits from a solid academic and scientific research ecosystem, recognized and envied internationally. The measures introduced under the aegis of the 2030 Health Innovation Plan, such as early access to therapeutic innovations and the creation of the Health Innovation Agency, demonstrate an ambitious policy. Industrial investments, regularly relayed by the press during Choose France, confirm that France is a key player for laboratories. These projects do not only concern factories, but also the increase in research and development (R&D) capacities in the territory.
However, obstacles persist. We are in a critical phase: that of the vote on the Social Security financing law for 2025, after a period of political uncertainty. Discussions about the pharmaceutical industry often focus on health sovereignty, focused on industrial establishments. It is time to revisit this vision and integrate innovation into this equation, considering it as a long-term investment. Attracting innovations to France, thanks to greater promotion of public-private partnerships and the integration of French patients in clinical trials, would be crucial to guarantee health sovereignty with European reach.
Predictability. Being a European leader in health innovation also implies economic and fiscal predictability for pharmaceutical companies. However, this has been weakened for several years by a low price level for innovations and the systematic triggering of the safeguard clause, a contribution to regulating drug expenditure, reformed almost annually in the Security financing bill. social (PLFSS) and unpredictable. Consequences for France? A risk of disinvestment by parent companies, unable to anticipate these mechanisms, and a weakening of pharmaceutical companies of all sizes. Astellas, for example, a medium-sized Japanese laboratory, with an innovative and tight portfolio, is strongly affected by these regulations, as are biotechs and start-ups which are struggling to maintain their presence in France. Ultimately, this could lead to withdrawals of drugs from the French market, closures of subsidiaries, and a limitation of French patients’ access to innovations.
Despite these challenges, there are many prospects: it is imperative to guarantee continuity of policies favorable to health innovation and to maintain constructive dialogue. Thanks to the mobilization of all those involved in innovation, France will be able to meet the challenge launched by Emmanuel Macron almost five years ago.
Ghislaine Leleu is Managing Director France of Astellas
