The producers of pharmaceutical raw materials, the Italian leader in the pharmaceutical supply chain, are now present at CPhI Worldwide 2021, the most important traveling international trade fair for the pharmaceutical supply chain, on display in Milan until November 11th. The event returns to Italy after 14 years.
The companies producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API – Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) represented in Italy by Aschimfarma, Federchimica’s sector association, play a decisive role. “Italy” – declares Paolo Russolo, President of Aschimfarma – is the first European country – followed by Spain and Germany – both in terms of turnover and number of companies (72 companies and 109 production sites for 12,000 employees) “.
In 2020, the sector reached 4.8 billion in turnover, equal to approximately 10% of world production, with a growth of 14% compared to 2018 and an export share of 86%.
The growth in turnover in 2020 is also explained by the intensification of production in the acute phase of the pandemic. “The API companies operating in Italy have promptly reacted to the lack of many active ingredients that came from Asian manufacturers – continues Russolo – The production of drugs for treatments against the Covid-19 pandemic for hospital use was thus guaranteed, but above all the therapeutic continuity for all those patients suffering from chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, pain therapies etc.).
Over the years we have shown that we have been able to fight and resist Asian competition, based exclusively on prices, offering increasingly higher quality products in full compliance with all the regulations and to guarantee citizens’ health “.
The sector stands out for its high production capacity and specificity (over 85% of all molecules on the market, except biological drugs) and highly specialized personnel and substantial investments in Research & Development (3% turnover), with continuous research of innovative technological and synthetic production processes, capable of reducing environmental impacts (energy savings, solvents, reagents, lower emissions, energy savings) and the cost of drugs to make them increasingly accessible to citizens.
“A commitment that the Aschimfarma companies confirm, ready to give their contribution to make the drug supply chain in Italy and in Europe increasingly robust, safe and efficient, above all to safeguard the health of citizens.
However, in order to compete on equal terms, harmonization of the quality and regulatory system at both European and non-EU level is essential “.
In Europe, directives are transposed and applied in a more or less restrictive way in different countries and this highlights a different competitiveness among producers in the European area.
In non-European countries the rules are of a different nature and certainly less restrictive than the European and Italian ones, with particular emphasis on the regulatory, environmental and safety ones, allowing, in the final analysis, to be able to compete with lower-cost products.
European producers, on the other hand, have to face very stringent and costly quality, environmental and regulatory procedures, monitored regularly by European agencies / organizations, both health and industrial.
“We are confident that the positive market trend of recent years will be confirmed, even when the health emergency is finally over – concludes Russolo.
“We will continue to invest in research and technology to maintain qualitative excellence and market leadership, relying on a supply chain that is less dependent on Asian supplies, especially for products deemed essential. The rules of the game, however, must apply to everyone, guaranteeing not only our competitiveness but above all the quality of the drug. Health is an investment, not a cost: the priority must always be to protect it, at the highest levels “.
