French Drug Policy

Abstract

French drug policy is closely controlled by the government to achieve two main purposes: to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety, and to control pricing. Manufacturers usually price new drugs at the amount the French Sécurité Sociale (Social Security) agrees to reimburse the consumer. The specific steps a new ethical drug must go through in order to be released on the French market, and the process of negotiation between the government and the manufacturer are discussed in this paper.