Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lockdown in API powerhouse Italy disrupted medicines supply chain: GlobalData

As the majority of drug contract manufacture in Italy is concentrated in regions worst hit by Covid-19, stringent lockdown measures in the country have caused disruptions to global medicines supply chain, a data firm has revealed.

According to GlobalData, many major pharma companies rely on a large number of pharma contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) in Italy – a major active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supplier to the global market.


Adam Bradbury, Associate Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, notes: “Italy is an attractive destination for foreign-owned pharma companies, with 59% of the Italian pharma industry being formed by these companies.”

As the rate of Covid-19 infections has fallen, the country is now looking to reduce restrictions amid pressure from businesses.

Of the total of 148 CMOs in Italy, Milan has the largest number of manufacturing facilities with 51, followed by seven in Rome.

Large CMOs such as Albany Molecular Research and Recipharm AB have facilities based in Milan, which is the worst hit Italian region for Covid-19 prevalence.

Varese and Bergamo are also in Lombardy, indicating that the Northern region is a pharma powerhouse in the country. Both the Lazio and Tuscany regions where the rest of the top six cities are based have had a far lower prevalence of COVID-19 infections than Lombardy.

More For You

Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aspire Pharma acquisition boosts access to essential medicines for NHS patients in the UK

The acquisition is expected to further drive the company’s growth.

gettyimages

Aspire acquires UK distribution rights from Tetris

Aspire Pharma Limited, one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialty niche generics companies, has announced the acquisition of UK distribution rights to a number of products from Tetris Pharma, a subsidiary of Arecor Therapeutics.

These include products used in the treatment of bacterial infections—such as injectable and intravenous antibiotics—as well as a medicine indicated for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less