The Hidden Value of Certification
In the world of digital health, especially in a country like France, where regulation and patient safety go hand in hand, certification for medical software is often viewed as a bureaucratic hurdle. But when it comes to Professional Prescription Assistance Software (LAP) and Professional Dispensing Assistance Software (LAD), certification is more than just another box to tick—it’s a powerful market differentiator.
While the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) has made LAP and LAD certification optional, ignoring it could be a missed opportunity for software developers, healthcare institutions, and even pharmacies. Here’s why.
What Is LAP and LAD Certification?
At its core, this certification ensures that prescription (LAP) and dispensing (LAD) software adheres to France’s technical, regulatory, and safety standards.
LAP (Logiciel d’Aide à la Prescription): Helps doctors prescribe medications safely by checking for interactions, contraindications, and dosage errors.
LAD (Logiciel d’Aide à la Dispensation): Supports pharmacists in dispensing medications accurately, improving tracking and reducing errors.
HAS certification is valid for three years, covering the entire software system, not just specific features.
Now, you might think, “If it’s optional, why bother?” Well, here’s where things get interesting.
Why Certification Is a Smart Move
Patient Safety: More Than Just a Selling Point
We talk a lot about patient safety in digital health, but this is one area where software can have an immediate, tangible impact. A single medication error can lead to severe health consequences, and while software isn’t infallible, certified LAP and LAD systems significantly reduce risk.
I’d argue that any serious player in the healthtech space should be aiming for this certification, if only for the sake of clinical credibility. It’s one thing to claim your software reduces errors—it’s another to have HAS certification to back it up.
Aligning with France’s Digital Health Vision
France is pushing hard on digital health integration. The government’s technical framework demands interoperability with national systems, including:
• Dossier Médical Partagé (DMP) – The national Shared Medical Record.
• Messagerie Sécurisée de Santé (MSS) – A secure health messaging system for professionals.
• Electronic Prescriptions – The future of France’s prescribing system.
If your software isn’t built to work with these systems, you’ll be left behind. Certification doesn’t just make your software compliant—it makes it future-proof.
Trust and Credibility in a Competitive Market
Healthcare professionals are (understandably) risk-averse when it comes to adopting new technologies. If they have a choice between a certified and a non-certified LAP/LAD software, which one do you think they’ll pick?
Certification acts as a stamp of reliability that:
• Boosts confidence among doctors and pharmacists.
• Reduces adoption barriers—healthcare IT teams prefer solutions that won’t create compliance headaches.
• Strengthens relationships with insurers and regulatory bodies, which can lead to better business opportunities.
It Could Open Doors to Funding & Incentives
While not all certified software qualifies for financial incentives, the trend in digital health funding suggests that the French government and insurers are increasingly supporting certified solutions over non-certified ones.
If there’s even a chance that certification could help unlock public or private funding, why wouldn’t you take it?
Certification: A Strategic Decision, Not Just Compliance
Some companies see certification as just another regulatory process, but the truth is, it’s a strategic decision that positions your software for long-term success.
Here’s my take: If you’re serious about making an impact in the French digital health market, LAP and LAD certification is a no-brainer.
It’s not just about meeting standards—it’s about:
• Gaining trust among healthcare providers.
• Aligning with the future of digital health in France.
• Strengthening your competitive edge in an evolving market.
So, while you can sell prescription and dispensing software without certification, the real question is: why would you want to?
For further information visit:
https://www.has-sante.fr/jcms/c_989142/fr/certification-des-logiciels-des-professionnels-de-sante