Sanofi backs machine. Three weeks after announcing its intention to withdraw Praluent (Alirocumab) from the reimbursement, for lack of agreement on its price, the laboratory finally decided to suspend its approach. He says he wants to “develop a collective and sustainable solution” with the health authorities, in order to guarantee patient access to this monoclonal antibody intended for hypercholesterolemia resistant to conventional treatments.
A market under tension since fall 2024
The announcement of June 27 had surprised the medical community, while the anti-PCSK9 has already been the subject of strong supply tensions since October 2024. The drug agency has even recommended prescribers to no longer initiate new treatments with Praluent.
This potential withdrawal would have further weakened a market already under pressure. The repositioning of prescriptions to Repatha (Evolocumab, Amgen) was accompanied by chain reports. As for Leqvio (Inclisiran, Novartis), price negotiations remain blocked in France, despite its European authorization since 2020.
Local production and relocation promise
« As early as 2025, 80 % of the world’s active praluent substance will be provided in Vitry-sur-Seine “Recalled Sanofi, thus defending its French industrial anchoring. But the question of the price remains. Questioned by APMnewsthe laboratory did not wish to detail its pricing claims.
Today, the TTC public price ranges between € 216.10 (75 mg or 150 mg) and € 430.37 (300 mg). The therapeutic scheme varies from an injection every two weeks to a monthly injection.
Association pressure, political arbitration
Last Thursday, the National Association of Family Hypercholesterol (Anhet.fr) obtained the promise of the Minister of Health, Yannick Neuder, to reopen negotiations with the industrialists concerned. A strong signal, which seems to have weighed in Sanofi’s flip-flop. In a context of access to under tension, the stake exceeds the only case praluent. It is all the regulation of the prices of biomedications and their availability in pharmacies that is at the heart of the discussions.