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‘Serious malfunctions’ at French research unit headed by Didier Raoult

A criminal investigation is set to begin into the Marseille research unit headed by controversial scientist Didier Raoult, after a report found "serious malfunctions".

Published: 7 September 2022 11:55 CEST
'Serious malfunctions' at French research unit headed by Didier Raoult
Didier Raoult. (Photo: Christophe Simon / AFP)

The findings of the joint investigation into the IHU at Marseille by the Inspection générale des affaires sociales (IGAS) and the  l’Inspection générale de l’éducation, du sport et de la recherche (IGESR) prompted Health Minister François Braun and Research Minister Sylvie Retailleau to refer the unit to the city’s public prosecutor, urging it to investigate “serious malfunctions” at the institution.

Raoult was head of the unit from its foundation in 2011 until his retirement this summer.

The controversial microbiologist gained significant worldwide attention during the Covid-19 pandemic for his vociferous promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment, despite a lack of evidence on its effectiveness.

READ ALSO Five minutes to understand: Whatever happened to French professor Didier Raoult?

He was succeeded as director by Pierre-Edouard Fournier.

The ministers said that a number of issues highlighted in the latest report are “likely to constitute offences or serious breaches of health or research regulations”.

Fournier, and the institute’s seven founding members – including the University of Aix-Marseille, Assistance Publique-Hospitals de Marseille, the Research Institute for Development or the army health service – will now be summoned by their supervisory bodies to “implement a proactive action plan as soon as possible” which “will condition the continuation of the activity of the IHU-MI and its funding by the State”, according to the joint communiqué of the ministers.

The IHU was already under judicial investigation for “forgery in writing”, “use of forgery in writing”, and “interventional research involving a human person not justified by his usual care without obtaining the opinion of the committee for the protection of persons and the authorisation of the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM),” the Marseille prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.

In an earlier report, the ANSM had noted “serious breaches of the regulations for research involving humans”, during some clinical trials.

READ ALSO Maverick French Covid doctor reprimanded over ‘breaches’ in clinical trials

François Crémieux, the director of Marseille public hospitals, told local newspaper La Provence on Tuesday that the establishment “shares the observation of managerial excesses of certain hospital-university managers occupying key functions within the infectious diseases division”.

“The legitimacy of the IHU has been affected. It has lost its scientific credibility. It must now be regained. 800 highly skilled professionals work there every day,” he added.

Raoult bit back at the report in a tweet, saying: “I regret that the IGAS/IGAENR mission does not take into account the detailed legal and scientific response that I have provided”.

Separately, Raoult will be in court on Friday as his defamation case against Karine Lacombe, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Sorbonne University Faculty of Medicine, comes before judges.

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CYCLING

Why you should take up cycling in France in May

'Mai à vélo' is a month-long, government-backed scheme intended to encourage people in France to choose cycling over other modes of transportation.

Published: 16 April 2024 11:42 CEST
Why you should take up cycling in France in May

In hopes of getting more people to cycle, the ‘Mai à vélo’ will offer thousands of cycling events and ‘challenges’ across France from May 1st to 31st.

The scheme began in 2020 and has been supported by the French ministries of environment and sports, with the goal of encouraging carbon-free forms of transportation.

In 2023, there were over 4,000 Mai à vélo events, with over 100,000 people participating in the activity challenges.

What types of events will there be?

From workshops to learn how to repair your own bicycle to group rides and bicycle exchanges, there will be plenty of different types of events across the country. 

They can be hosted by schools, businesses, local authorities, associations and even just groups of friends. 

If you are interested in hosting your own event, you will first need to make an account and register your plans. 

To find events near you, check out the interactive ‘Mai à vélo’ map.

Screenshot from the Mai à vélo website

Cycling on the rise

France, and particularly the city of Paris, have invested more into bike lanes over the last few years.

The study by the Institut Paris Region, an urban planning agency, found that more Parisians were opting for bicycles (accounting for 11.2 percent of trips) than cars (4.3 percent of trips). 

READ MORE: How France will splash another €250 million on national ‘bike plan’

Walking was still the most common option (53.5 percent), followed by public transport at 30 percent.

Nevertheless – Paris launched its first ‘plan vélo’ in 2015 and its second phase started in 2021, with a budget of €180 million and the goal of making France’s capital ‘100 percent bicycle-friendly by 2026’.

On top of that, during the 2024 Olympic Games, the city will offer over 415 kilometres of bicycle lanes, plus thousands of new parking stations across the city and nearby Games venues. You can download the map of bicycle lanes on the Anticiper les jeux website.

Grants for purchasing a bicycle in France

The French government opted to extend their bonus vélo grant to 2027, in an effort to encourage non-polluting transport options.

Previously, the aid was only available to those buying new bikes, but in 2024 authorities opened it up to second-hand bicycles under certain conditions.

While it is means-tested, the financial aid is open to non-French nationals (though you must be resident in France and have a tax number in order to access the grants).

Depending on your financial situation and the bicycle you want to purchase, you may be eligible for assistance varying between €150 and €2,000.

If eligible, you can use it for plenty of different types of bicycles – from standard and electric bikes to cargo bikes, plus those adapted for people with disabilities.

READ MORE: Explained: The financial aid to buy a bike in France

Where should I cycle in France?

If affordable bicycles and fun events are not enough to entice you, perhaps you will be convinced by the dozens of beautiful bicycle routes criss-crossing the country and the warm, spring weather.

For example – you might consider the ‘Voie des Vignes’ cycle path which goes from Beaune to Santenay to Nolay.

The 22km Voie des Vignes (Way of the Vines) meanders its gentle way along vineyard paths, crossing the Unesco World Heritage-listed Climats of Burgundy.

There is also the Vallée du Loir cycle path, which is a 330 km track (the V47) that starts at the source of the river between Beauce and Perche and ends of the banks of Loire at Angers, passing by a fair share of castles.

READ MORE: 13 of France’s best hiking and cycling routes

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