A meeting with the administration of the Panhellenic Union of Pharmaceutical Industry (PEF) was held by the Head of Industry Sector of the Greek Left Alliance (EL.A.S.), Vasilis Magklaras, in the context of his contacts with productive bodies of the domestic economy.
At the center of the discussion were the role of the domestic pharmaceutical industry as a pillar of manufacturing, as well as the prerequisites for shaping a national industrial policy that will strengthen production, innovation, and high value-added investments.
Mr. Magklaras underlined the need for a new productive model based on industry, technology, and exports, noting characteristically:
“The Greek pharmaceutical industry constitutes a successful example of what Greek production can achieve when know-how, innovation, and extroversion are combined. Greece must invest again in its industry, not only for reasons of development but also for reasons of strategic autonomy, resilience, and economic security. We need a coherent industrial policy that will support sectors with high added value and a strong export footprint, such as the pharmaceutical industry. Strengthening Greek production requires targeted incentives and a stable and predictable investment environment, with particular emphasis on reducing production and energy costs and on strengthening the export capabilities of Greek businesses”.
The positions of the pharmaceutical industry
On the part of PEF, the president of the Union, Theodoros Tryfon, presented the sector’s contribution to the economy and to highly specialized employment. At the same time, he made special reference to regional development, citing as an example the investment and educational activities in Tripoli, which retain scientific personnel in the region.
The vice president of PEF, Dimitris Demos, referred to the need to strengthen the international presence of Greek businesses through active economic diplomacy, the utilization of interstate agreements, and a closer connection of the productive base with foreign markets.
Finally, the two sides agreed that the further development of the sector presupposes a strategy for the production of critical medicines, the safeguarding of resilient supply chains, the connection of production with universities, and a predictable framework for research and patients’ access to treatments.