Agence générale des équipements et produits de santé

From a humble apothecary in 1795 to a crucial pillar of Parisian healthcare, the Agence générale des équipements et produits de santé (AGEPS) has a fascinating story to tell. Right here, at 7 rue du Fer-à-Moulin, we stand before one of the two main sites of this remarkable institution. The AGEPS, once known as the Pharmacie centrale des hôpitaux (PCH), has played a pivotal role in the evolution of medical practices in Paris. Originally established in 1795, the PCH boasts a legacy of groundbreaking innovations, such as the invention of chloroform, methadone syrup, and the first disposable surgical glove. In 1995, it expanded its responsibilities to include procurement, becoming the PCH-AGAM. A further transformation occurred in 2001, leading to its current name, AGEPS, and reflecting its broader role within the healthcare system. The AGEPS mirrors the organizational structure of a hospital, with pharmaceutical services, divisions, and a Consultative Medical Committee. This structure underscores the AGEPS’s integral connection to the AP-HP hospital network. The AGEPS manages the procurement of vital medical resources for 38 hospitals and six University Hospital Groups in Paris. This includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, laboratory reagents, and equipment, amounting to an impressive €2.6 billion worth of contracts in 2018 alone. Its pharmaceutical platform in Nanterre manages an extensive inventory, ensuring a consistent supply of essential medications. It processes around one million order lines annually. Beyond procurement and logistics, the AGEPS actively participates in clinical trials, collaborating with the Delegation for Clinical Research and Innovation. It also undertakes research, development, and manufacturing of essential medicines not readily available from commercial pharmaceutical companies, fulfilling a critical need for so-called ‘orphan’ drugs. The AGEPS demonstrates an unwavering commitment to public health. Its multifaceted activities, from supplying critical medicines to supporting groundbreaking research, make it an indispensable part of the Parisian and French healthcare landscape.