ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the modernization of French state governance along these themes: the role of etatisme—the primacy of the state— and prescriptive practice guidelines for clinicians, including scientific advice, and the role of the national committee on public health policy. The July 1, 1998 law overhauled the existing public health surveillance system and improved the institutional arrangements for licensing medical products for the French market. The 1998 law required clinicians and scientists to provide scientific advice to the ministry of health under certain conditions through the so called "Groups of Experts" under a number of specified circumstances. The 1998 law mandated the creation of Le Comite National de SecuriteSanitaire (CNSS) under the leadership of the minister of health. CNSS was responsible for analyzing and monitoring public health warnings. Monitoring public health warnings requires information sharing across national, regional, and local bureaucracies.
