There could be 181 Pfizer scientific representatives on the move throughout Italy, but the sector fears other short-term cuts from other US and EU multinationals. This is the latest strategy of pharmaceutical companies to contain costs. Farmindustria is on the alert and with the July 2011 maneuver it will have to pay between 800 million and 1 billion euros in 2013 to make up for the overrun in hospital pharmaceutical expenditure which is heading towards 2.4-2.5 billion. According to the President of the trade association Massimo Scaccabarozzi, the spending ceiling for hospital care is "absolutely lower than the real needs". Negotiations with the Government have begun, but not yet with the Regions. Very few chance an agreement for Farmindustria, despite a study by Cergas Bocconi confirming that hospital prices are on average lower by 10% than in other EU countries.
(Il Sole 24 Ore Pag.22 – 01/10/2011, Il Sole 24 Ore Pag.18 – 02/10/2011) 
