Figure 2. Direct presence of the Portuguese pharmaceutical industry around the world through both commercial departments, manufacturing plants and distribution channels.
Portugal is well placed to offer the Industry a comprehensive location solution based on its:
- Excellent scientific human re sources
- Modern infrastructure (laboratories, pilot plants and technology parks)
- State of the art industrial facilities
- Committed government support
The demanding and increasingly complex industry requires a high level of R&D support, highly specialized yet able to adjust to the constant pressures and unexpected market turnarounds. Portugal has a reputation for sound, trusted and competent workforce in this sector, trained by universities that are in tune to scientific developments and market tendencies.
The Pharmaceutical Industry in Portugal
Nº Companies |
129 |
Nº Companies with production facilities |
33 |
Sector employees |
9.388 |
Exports |
293 Million Euros |
Turnover |
1.300 Million Euros |
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Competitive advantages
Portuguese Pharmaceutical Industry offers you;
- A mature and well organised domestic market
- Access to the EU's sophisticated market
- Opportunities for distribution and cooperation with Portuguese companies operating in overseas markets, especially in Africa including Maghreb and Latin America
- Companies open to Joint Ventures in commercial, industrial and research fields
- Well equipped and flexible facilities to provide manufacturing in drugs with strict compliance with EU cGMP
- Availability of contract manufacturing and R & D services for the production of active substances and dosage forms
- Companies experienced with technology transfer in the dosage form manufacturing and raw material manufacturing
- Availability of well qualified staff (B.Sc., M.Sc. and PH.D) in fields of pharmacy, engineering, biology, biochemistry and biotechnology
- Stable and safe working environment supported by the government as a strategic sector for the future
- Following European Patent law *
*The Strategic environment in Portugal is very positive towards the pharmaceutical industry, namely the new Code of Industrial Property published in July 2003.
This Code brings a higher level of flexibility of a great number of administrative rules, adapting the legal/administrative procedures to the economic reality of modern times.
Namely point c) of article 102 is of utmost importance since it refers that rights granted by the patent but it excludes: “acts exclusively performed for trials or experimental purposes, including experiences for preparation of administrative processes required prior to approval of products by competent official boards; however industrial or commercial exploration of those products cannot be initiated before expiry of the patent which protects them.” |
The Pharmaceutical Industry as a Strategic Sector
The weight and importance of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Portuguese economy and population is unquestionable. This has been formally recognized by two Resolution of the Council of Ministers, declared that the Pharmaceutical Industry is a strategic sector.
The Resolution guidelines are:
• Strengthen innovation and development activities (R&D), expand the scope of action of partnerships between domestic and trans-national companies and the national scientific and technical institutions
• Encourage the use of Industrial Property as a competitive factor
• Further reinforcement of the internationalisation of companies – creation of PharmaPortugal (to further internationalize the image of the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Industry abroad)
• Foster innovation and competitiveness among small and medium-size companies in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Enhance the quality and performance of the Pharmaceutical Industry
See also: Apifarma | Infarmed | AICEP
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A country in south-west Europe independent since the 12 th century, with a rich history and a long tradition of international involvement. A member of EU since 1986
