“We heard an exemplary and coherent judgment”, welcomes Irène Frachon

The Servier group was sentenced on appeal Wednesday in the Mediator affair for fraud in reimbursing more than 415 million euros to health insurance and mutual insurance companies

“We experienced an exceptional moment of emotion, immense relief and satisfaction because we heard an exemplary and coherent judgment that we expected and that we hoped for”welcomes Wednesday December 20 on franceinfo Irène Frachon, the pulmonologist who revealed the Mediator scandal, after the conviction on appeal of the Servier laboratories.

“The Court mercilessly deployed an absolutely extraordinary industrial crime mechanism”, continues the pulmonologist. According to her, this mechanism included “an authorization obtained fraudulently to market Mediator, disguised as an anti-diabetic, to obtain reimbursement from Social Security, that is to say a scam”. The whole thing “disregard for people’s lives, i.e. aggravated deception, injury and manslaughter”.

“From the outset, Servier decided to deceive to make money and he took with him all of his companies and some of the people who worked with him.”

Irène Frachon, pulmonologist

at franceinfo

A “strong signal”

Irène Frachon highlights the “exceptional clarity” with which the facts were presented, “on a technical, scientific, legal and human level”. She assures him, “it’s really a huge relief today. Justice is done with the right words.” According to her, what is being condemned today “in an exemplary manner” is “a poison plot that has been brought to light.” Another positive point for the pulmonologist, the “strong signal” that this conviction sends.

“Yes, justice is capable of convicting even powerful people defended by large law firms. Yes, we are capable of convicting them forcefully to protect the general interest.”

Irène Frachon, pulmonologist

at franceinfo

This Wednesday, Servier laboratories were sentenced on appeal to a total fine of more than 9 million euros and to reimburse more than 415 million euros to social security and mutual organizations. The laboratories have announced that they will appeal to the Court of Cassation.