Reactivating the table on pharmaceuticals is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Economic Development. Where, however, delegations are expected from the undersecretaries, Claudio De Vincenti and Simona Vicari, to convene all the representatives of the sector chain and start working on various 'hot' topics. First of all, the ceilings on pharmaceutical expenditure and the policies necessary for the revitalization of the drug manufacturing industries, in order to attract foreign investments and maintain those already made.
According to Mise sources, the reopening of the table is certain "at 90%", to keep a light on this important industrial sector and support the companies that are part of it. And if pharmaceutical companies have long complained of the pressure to which they have been subjected maneuver after maneuver, the goal will be to make their life a little easier, with suitable policies and, perhaps, interventions to reduce taxation, if the Ministry of the Economy, which participates in the technical table together with pharmacists, companies (of 'brand names' and generics) and unions, deems it feasible.
Another priority will be to safeguard jobs: according to Farmindustria, 11,000 workers have been lost in the last 4 years, a thousand in 2012 alone. And another thousand jobs would soon be destined to vanish.
Barbara Di Chiara – 10 June 2013 – PharmaKronos
