Several major pharmaceutical companies in France have been fined a total of €8 million for failing to maintain a necessary four-month safety stock of essential medicines, according to the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). The ANSM has the authority to impose financial penalties on companies that do not comply with regulations to ensure access to medicines for patients. The fines were increased in 2022 as part of a recent law that requires laboratories to have a minimum safety stock of essential medicines to prevent shortages.
This crackdown comes after the agency launched a campaign to monitor the stocks of 422 key medicines. The ANSM had already imposed fines on laboratories last year amounting to €560,000. The agency has been busy managing thousands of reports of drug shortages or risks of shortages in recent years.
While the reasons for drug shortages may vary from country to country, many countries are still struggling with this issue. The European Commission has taken steps to prevent shortages, including implementing a solidarity mechanism where EU states can share their stocks with countries facing supply difficulties.
These penalties and measures are aimed at ensuring a stable and reliable supply of medicines for patients in France and across Europe. Pharmaceutical companies are now under increased pressure to comply with regulations to prevent drug shortages and ensure that essential medicines are readily available when needed.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
