All the numbers of a 3.6 billion euro sector
The active pharmaceutical ingredients industry is confirmed as an Italian manufacturing sector of excellence: this is what emerges from the Aschimfarma 2018 Forum 'Research and technology: the new frontiers for pharmaceutical chemistry' in Milan.
With a share of 9% on total world production, pharmaceutical raw materials have been challenging competition from Asian and North American giants for years, with an export share of 85% (40% in the USA, 36% in Europe, 18% in Japan) and a turnover of 3.6 billion euros.
The sector, represented in Italy by Aschimfarma – the Federchimica Association which represents producers in Italy – allocates 3% of its turnover to research, above all applied to development, mainly for process optimization.
It can be estimated that the sector represents 10% of the research and development expenditure of the total chemical industry (including pharmaceuticals). “Our sector's attention to research, combined with high levels of product quality, safety and respect for the environment, have proved to be winning factors over Asian competition, which has led multinational pharmaceutical companies to return to collaborating on projects of development with Italian companies”, said Gian Mario Baccalini, president of Aschimfarma.
"The important thing for companies - added Baccalini - is now to defend this leadership position, based on quality, integrating it with elements that allow it to be consolidated".
Margherita Lopes – PharmaKronos – 20 February 2018
Related news: Research and technology: the new frontiers
