Founded in May 1978, Farmindustria is the Italian national association of pharmaceutical companies and is the pharmaceutical component of the Italian Confederation of Industry, Confindustria. It is also a member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA). It numbers about 200 member companies with both national- and foreign-owned companies, with over 130 production plants throughout the country. It employs more than 71,000 highly-qualified people (45% women), who are increasingly younger and younger (under 35s have grown by 21% in the last 5 years, more than the total employment in the sector). With over 56 billion Euro in production, of which 54 billion is destined for export, the pharmaceutical industry is the joint leader in the EU, together with Germany and France. And it is also a strategic value for the health, growth and security of the nation.
Italy is one of the leading players in pharmaceutical research thanks to more than 7,000 researchers and over 4 billion Euro a year in investments in production and R&D. This is reflected by the excellence of specialized basic research and clinical trials, production of chemically synthesized and biotechnological medicines, vaccines and antibodies for preventive purposes, as well as innovative antibiotics, plasma derivatives, CDMOs (Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization), advanced therapies and orphan drugs. A diversity of companies and development models built into a network with the territory and its public and private excellences, universities, science parks, start-ups, non-profit organisations and the Italian NHS.
The pharmaceutical industry gives strength to the entire economy. Italy is second in the world for growth in value of exports of pharmaceutical products between 2021 and 2024. In the last five years, employment has grown significantly above the national average. The sector has also long been committed to a more sustainable economy that is also more attentive to healthcare, well-being and training. In these years of great transformation and growing international competition, the importance of the pharmaceutical sector in Italy has become even more obvious.
The Association's commitment to training and to young people is very important, with numerous projects such as the collaboration with Higher Technological Institutes (ITS) in New Life Technologies, with an ITS Pharma Academy where young people are formed with specialized skills in line with the profiles necessary for the sector and the School-Work programme, aimed at helping orientate students. Of particular note is the partnership with universities to contribute to the updating of scientific skills, for which Farmindustria has signed a protocol with the MUR and the CRUI.
The relations between the companies associated with Farmindustria and the scientific and healthcare community are regulated by a Code of Ethics that is currently among the strictest in Europe. Farmindustria pursues the creation of a stable regulatory environment and a pharmaceutical policy that acknowledges the vital role of the sector for the growth of life sciences in the nation. For this reason, it promotes reflection on the policies necessary to stimulate growth for the good of Italy and its citizens, also thanks to roadshows at member companies in the various regions, which show ‘live’ innovation and the production of value in pharmaceuticals.