The need to strengthen industrial production and reach 15-18% of GDP, its representatives noted. Greek pharmaceutical industry from the stage of the Delphi Economic Forum. At the same time, they mentioned investment in the sector, appreciating positive incentives such as return on investment, but reiterated that the problem of excessive taxation has not disappeared.

“If we are not financially independent, we will never be nationally independent,” emphasized Theodoros Trifon, president of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Industry Association and co-managing director of Elpen, believing that the Greek economy will have a hard time if industrial production is at least 15-18 % of GDP. “We have gone through 10 very difficult years of investment cuts and excessive taxation, for both Greek and foreign companies, but we have persevered in terms of investment in jobs, in patient outreach, and we look forward to the next day of technology.” he said, recalling that Elpen is implementing an investment plan of 155 million euros for the period 2019-2025. Finding the talent to support these investments is no easy task.

“In terms of know-how and the part we are trying to specialize in, biotechnology, there are currently no scientists in Greece, but we have opened our radars in Europe,” says Demo CEO and PEF Vice President Dimitris Demos. , emphasizing that “too many Europeans want to come to work in Greece, as well as Greeks who return from abroad to work in our companies.” Demo is implementing a €356 million investment plan for 2021-2027 that will open a research center in Agios Stefanos, Attica in eight months to develop biotech medicines.

Nikos Mantzoufas, commander of the TAA Special Coordination Service, said that there are 53 investment projects of Greek pharmaceutical companies that have used the 250 million euros allocated through the Recovery Fund, while, as it was said, it is planned to extend the promotion with an additional 150 million. Recall that the return is a thorn in the side of the pharmaceutical industry because it “represents a measure of indirect taxation”. Return on Investment (ROI) is a measure of compensation for return on investment in manufacturing and R&D investment, an incentive that is viewed favorably in the industry.