The financialization of medical laboratories in France: what are the risks for the profession and public health?

Abstract

Medical laboratories in France have always adapted to technical and medical progress, as well as to the regulations imposed by the supervisory authorities. However, over the last ten years, this evolution has been so important that biologists are witnessing a revolution in their mode of practice. The supervisory authorities wanted to increase and harmonize the quality of laboratory results. But the new legislation, sometimes misused, as well as the fear and the cost of accreditation, are at the origin of the excessive acceleration of the financialization of medical biology laboratories. We will see how the hegemony of financial groups can be detrimental to the quality of service provided to patients and to the independence of the medical biologist.