Sanofi announced on Friday that it was negotiating with the American investment fund CD&R to cede control of its over-the-counter products subsidiary Opella, which notably owns Doliprane, the best-selling drug in France.
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Roland Lescure, the former Minister of Industry, said Friday October 11 on France Inter to stay “vigilant” on the potential takeover of Doliprane by the United States, after the announcement of ongoing negotiations between Sanofi and an American investment fund. According to the MP Together for the Republic (EPR), it is necessary “that foreign investors come to France, not to leave with the fund, but to arrive with investments”.
In a brief press release, the French pharmaceutical group, Sanofi, declares “having entered into negotiations with CD&R for the potential sale of a 50% controlling stake in Opella”its over-the-counter product subsidiary, and therefore Doliprane, the best-selling drug in France.
This split raises concerns in France regarding the future of Doliprane, manufactured in Lisieux (Calvados) and Compiègne (Oise) and the risks of relocation of its production. For the former Minister of Industry, many questions arise: “Does this potential purchase risk weakening the industrial presence in France ? Because medicines produced in France must continue to be produced in France. Will the supply of medicines be assured?”
“We have the means, we passed a law, the Pacte law [en 2019]which makes it possible to put in place conditions” to guarantee these two major issues, recalls Roland Lescure, rapporteur of the text at the time. “I am sure that my successor will deploy them”he concludes, addressed to the current Minister of Industry, Marc Ferracci.