France to Reshore Pharmaceutical Production of 50 Medicines

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to bring pharmaceutical production back to France. In a recent speech, he stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for France to be more self-sufficient in terms of medical supplies.

“We have seen during this crisis that we were too dependent on other countries for certain products,” Macron said. “We must produce more in France and in Europe.”.

The French government has already taken steps towards this goal by investing in the production of face masks and respirators. Macron also announced that the government will invest in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

“By producing more in France and in Europe, we will be better prepared for future health crises,” Macron said.

• 80 percent of common medications like antibiotics and painkillers used in France are produced abroad, especially in China.

• 50 drugs flagged by Macron are among a list of 450 drawn up by the health ministry for which “we must absolutely secure our supply chains, either by completely re-shoring or diversifying (supply) and continuing to innovate,” the President said.

• 160 million euros of public funding will go to support eight of the new projects
  
• GSK is going to invest €22 million on upgrading its Mayenne site, Macron stated.

This move towards supply chain onshoring is not unique to France. Many countries around the world are re-evaluating their supply chains in light of the pandemic. President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill aims to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers to the United States to improve the nation’s ability to respond to future crises.