Set Up a Pharmaceutical Company in France

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most developed economic branches in all developed countries, and France makes no exception. Moreover, France is one of the largest drug producers and marketers in Europe and in the world. Pharmaceutical companies in France are among the most successful businesses which is why foreign investors are keen on setting up this kind of companies.

Our company formation agents in France can offer information on the pharmaceutical industry.

Legislation related to producing and selling drugs in France

The main law providing for the establishment of pharmaceutical companies in France is the Code of Public Health which clarifies the norms a company must respect in order to be allowed to operate in this country. Under this law, a pharmaceutical company may market its products in France only if:

• -          it has acquired an authorization for sale. Shortly known as a marketing authorization;
• -          if it is registered as homeopathic drug producer;
• -          if it was authorized to produce and sell medicines in an EU or EEA country.

French pharmaceutical companies may also sell foreign drugs provided they have obtained an import license for these products.

Registration of a pharmaceutical company in France

The first step to open a pharmaceutical company in France is the company registration process. This action falls under the Commercial Code and drug producers may choose to register a limited liability company or a public company in order to market their products. Our company registration consultants in France can help you with the whole company formation procedure.

After the company is registered, it must apply for the marketing authorization. The application can be filed in four different ways:

• -          through the national procedure;
• -          through the mutual recognition procedure;
• -          through the decentralized procedure;
• -          through the centralized procedure.

The application will be filed with the National Security Agency of Medicines and Health Products in France. Licenses issued by the European Medicines Agency are also recognized in France.

An important fact to keep in mind when opening a pharmaceutical company in France is the qualifications of the pharmacists. France has a good education system which caters to the needs of those opening pharmaceutical companies here.

For complete information on how to set up a pharmaceutical company in this country, please contact our French company formation representatives.