In the midst of a shortage of amoxicillin in France at the start of 2024, the GSK laboratory, owner of the only French factory producing this antibiotic, located in Mayenne, obtained a 10% increase in the purchase price of amoxicillin by the State . In exchange, the laboratory undertook to increase the volumes supplied to France. However, according to a Cash Investigation investigation relayed by France Info, GSK did not respect this commitment.
A journalist infiltrated the factory in January 2024. Working on the packaging control line, she discovered that the vials of amoxicillin checked were intended for Japan and not France. This factory supplies more than 110 countries and Japan, known as “very demanding” on packaging, imposes rigorous criteria. According to the GSK trainer, “everything has to be perfect”, including minor aesthetic details. These defects, although without impact on quality, are enough to rule out the bottles, which end up in the trash.
Around 10 to 15% of production could be thrown away
In one hour of inspection, the journalist and her colleague had to put aside around a hundred vials. According to a training manager, “around 10 to 15% of production” could be thrown away for these reasons. The Cash Investigation journalist claims that thousands of vials were destroyed by GSK in 2024, while France, faced with a serious shortage, could have benefited from it.
-Asked about these revelations, the GSK laboratory responded by email that it “did not know what the magazine was referring to”. For his part, Grégory Emery, Director General of Health and number 2 of the Ministry of Health, declared that he had not been informed of these facts. “If he had been informed,” he added, “he would have asked the laboratory to supply the French market with these products.”
France
