What is an Exploitant in France and why you might need one?

Jul 7, 2025

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The Exploitant: Your key to the French market

In France, an ‘Exploitant’ plays a crucial role for any company entering the pharmaceutical market. This legal status allows pharmaceutical companies to import, market, and sell medical products within France. More than just a permit, it acts as your company’s local representative, ensuring all products meet France’s strict legal and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

The Exploitant’s responsibilities include:

Regulatory Compliance: Guaranteeing that pharmaceutical products adhere to French regulations, including marketing authorization, packaging, and labeling requirements.

Pharmacovigilance: Establishing and maintaining systems for monitoring the safety of the drug, including managing adverse effects and reporting to regulatory bodies.

Quality Assurance: Ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical products distributed in France meets national and European Union (EU) standards.

Supply Chain Management: Overseeing the supply of medicinal products to fulfill the demands of the French market, including managing distribution and recall processes if necessary.

Why is an Exploitant necessary?

The requirement for an Exploitant underscores the French government’s dedication to public health and safety. By mandating a dedicated legal entity for a drug in the market, authorities ensure there’s a clear point of accountability for regulatory compliance and patient safety.

Finding the Right Exploitant

Selecting an appropriate Exploitant is key to success in the French market. Companies should seek partners with:

A proven track record of regulatory compliance.
Expertise in pharmacovigilance and quality assurance.
A robust network within the French healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Ready to Expand in France?

Elliogen is committed to connecting pharmaceutical companies with the right Exploitants in France, and we offer this matching service completely free of charge. Our goal is to facilitate your successful market entry and expansion, without the burden of additional costs.