The ambition for Greece to become one of Europe’s leading centres for pharmaceutical production, research and innovation was voiced by National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, speaking at the annual general assembly of the Panhellenic Union of Pharmaceutical Industry (PEF).
As he stressed, pharmaceutical production is not just a matter of economic competitiveness, but also one of “Europe’s strategic autonomy and the security of its citizens”, at a time of geopolitical uncertainty and vulnerable supply chains.
Greece’s pharmaceutical industry has 51 production units and 31 research and development centres, and exports to more than 150 countries, meeting the needs of about 40 million European patients.
Mr Pierrakakis referred to PEF’s €1.8 billion investment programme through 2028, which envisages 10 new factories, 14 new research facilities and 5,500 jobs. He also noted that €250 million from the Recovery Fund has been used for productive investment in the sector, while the reimbursement under the investment clawback rises to €200 million for investment plans in 2026-2027.
The minister also stressed the need to find a sustainable balance in the system of mandatory rebates and clawbacks, to ensure both citizens’ access to medicines and the viability of businesses.