France

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Health systems in transition
France
2.3.3 Subordinate agencies/arm’s length bodies
The Ministry in charge of Health relies upon a number of health agencies,
which are under its supervision, and other public bodies in the development and
implementation of policies for which it is responsible. Some of these agencies
are part of the public health prevention and health safety surveillance network
(see section 5.1.1).
French Biomedicine Agency (Agence de la biomédecine). This is a public
organization operating in four key areas of human biology and medicine:
assisted reproductive technologies; prenatal and genetic diagnosis; embryo
and stem cell research; and the procurement and transplant of organs, tissues
and cells.
French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (Agence
nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé; ANSM). The
ANSM is the competent authority for all safety decisions taken concerning
health products from their manufacturing to their marketing. It carries out four
core missions: (1) scientific evaluation, (2) laboratory oversight and advertising
regulation, (3) inspection of industrial sites, and (4) information for health
professionals. The ANSM also coordinates vigilance activities relating to all
relevant products. This Agency, successor to the French Health Products Safety
Agency (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé), was
created in the wake of the scandal over Mediator, an anti-diabetes drug that
remained on the French market until 2009 despite mounting evidence of serious
side-effects that led other countries to ban it as early as 1997 (see section 6.1).
French Blood Agency (Etablissement français du sang). This is the
single operator for blood transfusions in France, and its mission is to ensure
the availability and the safety of red blood cells, platelets and plasma
throughout France.
InVS. The Institute is responsible for surveillance and alert in all domains
of public health. Its mandates include monitoring and permanent observation
of population health conditions, health surveillance and health alerts, including
the safety of products intended for human use.
INPES. The Institute is in charge of implementing policies in matters of
prevention and health education within the government’s public health policy
framework. It also has in its remit management of emergency or exceptional
situations having serious consequences on the health of the general population.