Sanofi Opella's subsidiary, which produces and markets Doliprane in France, is set to be sold to an American fund. What consequences could this sale have on consumers? ? The French consume 8,000 tonnes of paracetamol each year and it is the little yellow box that is most often found in their first aid kits. Used for headaches, aches and pains, fever, etc., Doliprane is even covered by Social Security when prescribed by a doctor on a prescription. Despite This success, the Sanofi Board of Directors decided on Thursday, October 10, to sell its subsidiary Opella, which produces and markets these drugs in France, to the American fund CD&R. This sale will allow Sanofi's new partner across the Atlantic to control 50% of the Opella subsidiary. This announcement made the political class jump, who quickly assured that this represented a danger for health sovereignty. From La France Insoumise to the National Rally, including certain members of the presidential camp, this sale is strongly criticized. On his X account, Eric Coquerel (president of the Finance Committee and LFI deputy) believes that “it is unthinkable to abandon our sovereignty over the production of this type of medicine”. For his part, Jordan Bardella (president of the RN and MEP) believes that “the risks to our health sovereignty and to employment are considerable”: it would be incomprehensible for the state to let do". 
Gavé d’argent public notamment via le CIR, Sanofi va vendre Doliprane, au fonds américain CD & R ! Or il y a plusieurs mois ce paracetamol était introuvable. Il est impensable d’abandonner notre souveraineté sur la production de ce type de médicament https://t.co/gF6xBEIoGc
— Eric Coquerel (@ericcoquerel) October 10, 2024
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Le gouvernement laissera-t-il le Doliprane passer sous pavillon américain ? 🇫🇷💊🇺🇸
Le Doliprane et une centaine de médicaments sans ordonnance de Sanofi sont en voie de passer dans le giron du fonds américain CD&R.
J’appelle l’Etat à être particulièrement vigilant sur ce… pic.twitter.com/yO5ORQYPNj
— Eric Ciotti (@eciotti) October 11, 2024
What consequences for consumers?
But then, does this sale really endanger France's health sovereignty? ? As the world recovers from the trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic and sovereignty has become a national priority, the government seems to believe that this sale does not represent a danger. Economy Minister Antoine Armand and Industry Minister Marc Ferracci believe that this is “a serious investment fund that presents positive prospects for the overall development of Opella as well as for the sites established in France.” although “a certain number of economic commitments will be required from Sanofi and the future buyer CD&R”.
It is therefore difficult to know whether this sale will have a real impact on consumers in France, but according to a source close to the American fund who spoke to BFMTV, “Opella is a French company that will remain in France and that will continue to develop in France. The production capacities will remain in France”. If this promise is kept, nothing should change for consumers, but without it, it is possible that CD&R will decide to relocate the production of Doliprane to a country where the production cost would be lower, thus exposing France to a risk of shortage.