Oct 21 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in

the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and

does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

- Public to be asked for suggestions on how to fix NHS

- French state takes stake in Sanofi unit to smooth 15.5

billion euro ($16.84 billion) deal

Overview

UK health secretary Wes Streeting will on Monday launch a

"national conversation" about the future of the National Health

Service, which he said was in "an awful state".

The government of France is taking a small stake in Sanofi's

consumer healthcare business as the French pharma firm

nears a politically-sensitive deal to hand control of the unit

to US private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, which

values it at 15.5 billion euros.

($1 = 0.9205 euros)

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)