CERP Bretagne Atlantique

CERP Bretagne Atlantique, also known simply as CERP, operates as a pharmaceutical wholesaler that supplies medicines and related health products to pharmacies through an online order reception system. The organisation serves a network of retail pharmacies located primarily in western and central France, facilitating the distribution of pharmaceutical goods to ensure that these outlets can meet the medication needs of their patients. Its core activity centres on receiving orders via its digital platform, processing them, and coordinating the delivery of stock to member pharmacies. By focusing on the wholesale segment of the pharmaceutical supply chain, CERP supports the continuity of care in the communities where its client pharmacies are based. The cooperative nature of the entity implies that its ownership and governance are structured around the pharmacies it serves, aligning operational decisions with the interests of its member owners.

The scale of CERP’s operations is evidenced by the reported impact of a cyberattack in October 2024, which disrupted online ordering for approximately 1,800 pharmacies across the regions of Brittany, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Pays-de-la-Loire, and Nouvelle Aquitaine. This incident highlights the organisation’s substantial regional footprint and its reliance on a digital infrastructure to maintain service continuity. The swift restoration of the online ordering system within a day, assisted by Orange Cyber Défense and specialised cybersecurity firms, demonstrates a notable competency in incident response and crisis management within the healthcare logistics sector. Following the attack, CERP filed a criminal complaint with Paris authorities, underscoring its commitment to addressing security breaches through legal channels. As a cooperative headquartered in France, CERP combines regional pharmaceutical distribution expertise with a member‑driven governance model, positioning it as a key intermediary in the supply of medicines to pharmacies in its service area.