Marseille’s Hôpital Saint Joseph unveiled a modernized, state-of-the-art pharmacy unit on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, designed to meet the growing demand for cancer treatments and ensure patient safety. The new 300 square meter facility was built with support from the Ligue Contre le Cancer Comité des Bouches-du-Rhône, marking a significant investment in the region’s oncology capabilities. This expansion comes as cancer treatment continues to evolve, requiring increasingly sophisticated preparation and handling of medications.
The project, totaling 3.6 million euros, was essential due to increased activity and the need to update facilities to meet current standards. Since the opening of the original unit in 2006, the number of sterile injectable preparations has risen dramatically from 2,000 to 25,000 annually. This growth underscores the increasing need for specialized pharmaceutical services in cancer care.
“This modernization allows us to further secure our processes, integrate new technologies with state-of-the-art equipment, work more ergonomically, and prepare for the future,” explained pharmacist Vincent Provitolo. “Our preparation capacity will increase to 50,000 doses. We are anticipating needs for the next twenty years.”
10,000 Chemotherapy Sessions Annually
Approximately 33% of patients treated at the hospital receive cancer care. The oncology service conducts around 10,000 chemotherapy sessions each year. The upgraded unit will play a critical role in supporting this high volume of treatments and ensuring the delivery of safe and effective cancer therapies.
The Ligue Contre le Cancer also supports projects at the Fondation Hôpital Saint Joseph, including funding for an AI-EUS study led by Dr. Arthur Laquière, Adjoint au Chef de Service d’Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing cancer research, and treatment.
