[The pharmaceutical industry during the Second World War: issues and evolution]

During the Second World War, French pharmaceutical industry was facing several crises at the same time: economic, social and political crisis, in its relationship with the German occupying forces and the Vichy regime. However, the industrial pharmacy continued its investments and innovation: several specialties were born. Other specialties are largely increasing their sales as they replace missing food (sugar, oil). Relationship with the occupying forces are first to try to escape constraints that are imposed to the companies. But contracts signed with German companies are obviously related to the defeated position of France. Allied are also a source of breach between French companies and their subsidiaries abroad (UK or USA). In this context, the new French law of September 11, 1941 on French Pharmacy appears for Vichy's regime and German occupying forces as a way among others to control the French pharmaceutical industry.