The Italian pharmaceutical industry ranks first in the world for export growth and second in Europe, after Germany, for production. In short, the sector has so far held up well to the crisis, but worrying signs are starting to appear, which is why we need to «stop the ideology of cuts. In fact, for each reduction in the health fund of one billion euros, we, representing 15 percent of the expenditure, lose 150 million, which means jobs and investments in research». The alarm was sounded by the president of Farmindustria, Massimo Scaccabarozzi, during the new stage of the tour "The drug industry: a heritage that Italy cannot lose", organized by Farmindustria, which stopped in Latina, hosted by Janssen, after having visited Sesto Fiorentino, Bologna, Parma and Monza.
«The sector is going through a very delicate phase», explains Federfarma's number one, «investors are observing our context very carefully to decide whether to keep their investments, divest, or in some cases invest in Italy. In recent years, despite many critical situations, drug companies have been able to maintain a first-rate industrial base, but are now experiencing a difficult phase. The valuable productions of the sector in the country and its future are at risk and much will depend on the industrial policy choices that will be adopted in the coming months. Pharmaceutical companies are ready to do their part to remain competitive. However, they must be accompanied by strong choices and new policies. For this Farmindustria asks for stability of the rules, attention to industrial value, recognition of innovation throughout the life cycle of the product (access, patent, brand), all elements at no cost that can help us win the challenge of competitiveness». And as regards the threat of new cuts to health care, Emilia Grazia De Biasi, president of the Senate Health Commission, reassured her, who declared herself ready, in the eventuality, to "do battle".
The numbers of the pharmaceutical industry
During the meeting, Farmindustria recalled the numbers of the pharmaceutical industry and illustrated the recipe needed to keep the sector, Italians and the country's economy healthy. Medicines in Italy are in fourth place (in 1991 they were 53rd and in 2001 12th) for exported value among 119 sectors, preceded only by those of mechanics. The pharmaceutical industry is, therefore, one of the sectors to focus on in order to restart, Farmind points out
