Section 10: Observatories for medicinal products, medical devices and therapeutic innovation

Articles in this section · 2

Article R1413-90

French Public Health CodeIn force

Updated 4 Nov 2023

In each region, an observatory for medicinal products, medical devices and therapeutic innovation is responsible for the following:

1° Supporting the drafting of the contracts mentioned in article L. 162-30-2 of the Social Security Code and analysing the annual evaluation reports, relating to the contract for improving the quality and efficiency of care, in particular the proper use of medicines, products and services under the said contract. As part of this, the Observatory proposes and carries out any supporting action to improve results in relation to the objectives of the said contract;

2° Medico-economic expertise, as well as monitoring and analysing prescriptions, dispensing and use of medicines, products and services observed at regional level. Within this framework, the Observatory offers support to healthcare establishments, medico-social establishments and services and all healthcare professionals, regardless of where or how they practise, in order to improve the quality, safety and appropriateness of the use of medicines, products and services and contribute to the fight against iatrogenia. It provides healthcare structures and professionals with appropriate information, training and tools, without prejudice to the missions of the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) referred to in Article L. 5311-1 and the missions of the regional pharmacovigilance centres referred to in Articles R. 5121-158 and R. 5121-159, with which it collaborates and organises regular exchanges on practices relating to the use of medicines, products and services, in particular those mentioned in Article L. 162-22-7 of the Social Security Code;

3° Participating in the work of the regional vigilance and support network, referred to in Article R. 1413-62, in its region, of which it is a member. At the request of the regional health agency, it contributes to the management of serious adverse events associated with healthcare, in support of the other member structures of the regional vigilance and support network, if defects in the use of medicines, products and services are at the root of these events or have contributed to them.

The Minister for Health may appoint one or more observatories to carry out studies and work in their respective areas of competence, after informing the Director(s) General of the Regional Health Agency(ies) concerned.

An inter-regional observatory may be set up for several regional health agencies in place of the regional observatories.

Mariela Petrova

Need help applying this article to your situation?

A registered French Lawyer explains what applies to your business — in English, fixed fee.

within 48h

Fixed Fee

Talk to a lawyer
Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Corporate
Lawyer In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

Continue Reading

Related corporate services in France

01 / Setup

Setting up a French company

Choose between SAS, SARL, SA or SCI — and structure your first French entity around how you actually plan to operate.

Read More
02 / Operating

French commercial contracts

Distribution, agency, supply, services and IP licences — drafted around the protections French law actually gives.

Read More
03 / Disputes

Business disputes & litigation

Shareholder conflicts, commercial breaches and pre-litigation strategy — handled by the same team that knows the file.

Read More