Strengthening Europe’s pharmaceutical manufacturing base is essential for Europe’s strategic autonomy, the resilience of healthcare systems, and patients’ secure access to necessary treatments. This was the central message of the Medicines for Europe Annual Conference, held in Athens and co-organized by Medicines for Europe and the Panhellenic Union of Pharmaceutical Industries (PEF).
The conference was attended by Minister of State Mr. Akis Skertsos, representing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister of Health Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, Secretary General for Industry Lefteris Kritikos, and Member of the European Parliament Nikos Papandreou, along with leading representatives of the country’s institutional bodies, senior executives from major European pharmaceutical companies, representatives of European Union member state governments, and high-ranking officials from European institutions.
In an international environment characterized by geopolitical shifts, increasing competition for investment, and pressures on supply chains, the generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines industry is emerging as a strategic pillar for Europe. The sector accounts for approximately 70% of prescription drugs in the European Union, supports the sustainability of healthcare systems, expands patient access to critical therapies, and strengthens the continent’s health security.
At the same time, the pharmaceutical industry is one of Europe’s most important productive forces, with more than 400 manufacturing facilities and approximately 190,000 highly skilled direct jobs. Greece holds a unique position within this ecosystem, boasting 51 production facilities and a robust domestic pharmaceutical industry that consistently invests in production, research, technology, and human capital.
During the conference, participants emphasized that European legislative initiatives must be based on up-to-date scientific evidence and a comprehensive assessment of their impacts in order to achieve the Union’s environmental goals while safeguarding the sustainability of pharmaceutical production and the resilience of European health systems.
Minister of State Mr. Akis Skertsos, representing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, stated: “The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most dynamic sectors of the Greek economy and, at the same time, a strategic pillar for European resilience and competitiveness. Greece has evolved into a major European production and research hub, attracting high-value-added investments, fostering innovation, and creating thousands of quality jobs. In a period of intense international competition and geopolitical challenges, strengthening European pharmaceutical production is not only an economic choice but also a matter of strategic autonomy and security. At the same time, with the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027 on the horizon, we will continue to work toward a Europe that is more competitive, more resilient, and more self-sufficient in the critical sector of health.”
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis emphasized: “European healthcare systems depend on secure access to high-quality and affordable medicines. The off-patent medicines sector is crucial not only for patients’ access to their treatments, but also for the resilience of health systems and the security of the supply chain. Europe cannot seek greater strategic autonomy in the pharmaceutical sector while simultaneously adopting policies that reduce the competitiveness of pharmaceutical production.”
For his part, Secretary General for Industry Mr. Lefteris Kritikos emphasized: “The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most dynamic productive sectors of the Greek economy, creating quality jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening the country’s industrial base. Our goal is to create a competitive environment that will support critical productive sectors for Europe’s strategic autonomy, security, and prosperity.”
The President of the Panhellenic Union of Pharmaceutical Industries (PEF) and Vice President of Medicines for Europe, Mr. Theodoros Tryfon, stated: “Europe today faces a critical choice. If it seeks true strategic autonomy, resilient health systems, and security of supply for medicines, it must invest in its own manufacturing base. The pharmaceutical industry is not merely a sector of the economy; it is critical infrastructure for public health, social cohesion, and European security. The generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines industry proves every day that it can meet the needs of European patients, support healthcare systems, and create significant added value for the economy. However, for Europe to maintain its productive and technological strength in a rapidly changing world, a coherent European plan is needed that will encourage investment, strengthen competitiveness, and ensure conditions for sustainable
development for the sector. Greece can and must play a leading role in the new European strategy for medicines, making a substantial contribution to Europe’s health security, growth, and competitiveness.”
The President of Medicines for Europe, Mr. Steffen Saltofte, stated: “At a time of geopolitical pressures and significant legislative changes, Europe must treat the off-patent pharmaceutical industry as a strategic partner for patient access, the resilience of healthcare systems, and the competitiveness of the European economy. Our sector provides approximately 70% of the medicines used in Europe and continuously invests to meet the health and safety needs of European citizens.”
The Medicines for Europe Annual Conference reaffirms that a strong European pharmaceutical industry is a necessary condition for the resilience of healthcare systems, the availability of medicines, and the maintenance of Europe’s productive and
technological leadership in a constantly changing international environment.