Pharmaceutique

Pharmaceutique is the French term for the pharmaceutical field, and it denotes the science and industry involved in medicines from discovery to distribution. It covers research on medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, preclinical testing, clinical trials, regulatory review, and the manufacture and quality control of products for humans and animals.

Typical activities include drug discovery, formulation, manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance, packaging, distribution, pharmacovigilance, and post-marketing surveillance. Products range from traditional small molecules to biologics such as proteins, vaccines, and advanced therapies, including gene or cell-based medicines, as well as over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Regulation is carried out by national authorities and supranational agencies that assess quality, safety, and efficacy before approval. Examples include the U.S. FDA, the European EMA, and other national agencies. Intellectual property, notably patents, plays a key role in encouraging innovation by granting limited exclusivity to new medicines.

Global markets depend on complex supply chains and manufacturing hubs across regions. Generics and biosimilars influence pricing and access. Current industry trends include precision or personalized medicine, biotechnology advances, digital health, and the use of real-world data and AI in drug discovery and development.