The pharmaceutical industry in Campania, Italy, has witnessed remarkable growth, with over 4 billion euros in exports recorded in the first nine months of 2023. This accounts for 80% of the hi-tech exports and 26% of the manufacturing exports in the region. The industry has also contributed to the employment sector, with more than 2,000 direct employees, constituting a third of the total pharmaceutical workforce in Southern Italy, and over 4,000 considering indirect employment. The exponential growth of the pharmaceutical sector in Campania is evident, with a more than fivefold increase in exports between 2018 and 2023, reaching a remarkable 475%. The region has established global trade partnerships with countries such as Switzerland, the European Union, the United States, South Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia. Naples, specifically, has ranked fourth nationally in 2023 in the provincial ranking for pharmaceutical exports, highlighting the strategic importance of the sector not only for public health but also for the economic development of the regions hosting pharmaceutical companies.
These findings were presented during the Farmindustria Innovation and Value Production roadshow held at Novartis Farma's production facility in Torre Annunziata. The event was attended by prominent pharmaceutical companies such as Farmaceutici Damor, Kedrion Biopharma, and Pierrel, among others. Marcello Cattani, President of Farmindustria, emphasized the significance of Campania in Italy's pharmaceutical industry, praising the region's diverse array of companies, both domestic and international, for representing the best of Italian craftsmanship and innovation. Cattani highlighted the industry's pivotal role in driving economic growth and public health, noting a record-breaking export increase, surpassing 49 billion euros in 2023, with a production value exceeding 50 billion euros. However, despite the industry's remarkable achievements, Cattani expressed concerns regarding fierce global competition in research and development, with projected investments of 1.7 trillion dollars between 2023 and 2028. He criticized ideological and anti-industrial policies in Europe, which hinder the industry's growth potential, and highlighted the 30% increase in industrial costs over the past two years, posing challenges to production sustainability. Cattani concluded by advocating for equitable access to treatments across regions, stressing the industry's potential to strengthen Italy's leadership in the European Union and emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair and uniform access to treatments for all patients, regardless of regional disparities.
