Oniam criticized by French Court of Auditors over medical compensation delays

The French Court of Auditors (Cour des comptes) has issued a report criticizing Oniam, the public office responsible for compensating victims of medical accidents. While the agency has improved its administrative and financial management since a 2016 report, the Court noted that communication with users remains a “persistent blind spot.”

Key criticisms include the lack of a telephone service to handle information requests and processing delays that consistently exceed legal requirements. Additionally, the Court noted that a digital platform for submitting files has not yet been initiated. In 2024, Oniam paid approximately 186 million euros in compensation, with an average payment of 154,000 euros per case.

The agency compensates victims of medical accidents, mandatory vaccinations, transfusions, and specific medications such as Mediator and Depakine. The Court expressed specific concern regarding the Depakine case involving Sanofi’s anti-epileptic drug, which carries risks for fetuses. Sanofi systematically contests compensation claims through legal channels, complicating the recovery of funds by Oniam.