The pharmaceutical industry in Croatia, which joined the European Union on 1 July 2013, is looking to capitalise on its accession by increasing its exports, entering new markets and expanding its product ranges. However, the industry is wary of the challenges that its EU entry could bring.
Croatia’s pharmaceuticals industry, which comprises 37 companies and employs around 4,420 people, according to its government Agency for Investments and Competitiveness (AIK), is primarily focused on the manufacture of generics. Its biggest companies include Pliva, part of the Israel-based Teva Group, which produces generic and niche products for cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, anti-infectives, oncology, musculoskeletal, neurological and psychiatric diseases; Belupo, the leading company in sales of medicinal products for the cardiovascular system, nervous system and skin complaints; Jadran Galenski Laboratorij (JGL), which offers a range of brand-name generics, over-the-counter drugs and medical products; and PharmaS, established in 2009, which produces generics mainly for cardio, gastro and neuro-psychiatric groups.
According to the Croatian Chamber of Economy, exports of pharmaceuticals in 2012 were worth €347m, representing 4.6% of Croatia’s total exports. And European Commission data says exports of pharmaceuticals from Croatia to the EU grew by 9.4% to €88.4m in 2012, and were worth €56.4m in the first six months of 2013.
Slovenia is the biggest EU market for Croatian pharmaceuticals, taking products worth €24.1m in 2012, followed by the Netherlands with €20.1m, Poland with €12.7m, the UK with €4.99m, Spain with €4.97m, the Czech Republic with €4.7m and Slovakia with €4.6m.
Not yet a Subscriber?
This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Manufacturing Chemist.
Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.