In order to obtain recognition in France of a marketing authorisation issued by another Member State of the European Union, known as the reference State, the holder of this authorisation must submit a marketing authorisation application to the Director General of the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail.
From receipt of the assessment report on the medicinal product, accompanied by the summary of product characteristics, labelling and package leaflet, sent by the reference State, the Director General of the Agency has ninety days to reach a decision:
1° If the Director General of the Agency approves these documents, he shall inform the reference State. In the event of agreement between all the States concerned, notified by the reference State, it will issue a marketing authorisation in accordance with the assessment report thus approved within thirty days of receipt of this notification;
2° If the Director General of the Agency does not approve these documents because he considers that the medicinal product concerned presents a potential serious risk for human or animal health or for the environment, he shall immediately notify his reasoned objection to the reference State, the other States concerned, the applicant and the coordination group referred to in Article 31 of Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
In addition, if the Director General of the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail considers that the veterinary medicinal product in question falls within the categories defined in Article L. 5142-5-1, he will inform the reference State and the other States concerned that he is no longer taking part in the procedure in progress.