Farmindustria emphasises pharma as a strategic asset for Italy and Europe

Marcello Cattani was unanimously re‑elected as president of Farmindustria for a third term (2026‑2028). He warned that pharmaceutical spending is not out of control, describing it as an investment that supports health, industrial growth and national resilience. At the association’s annual assembly he highlighted a 248 % rise in pharma export over the past decade and called for faster access to innovative drugs, elimination of pay‑back mechanisms and regulatory simplification.

The same day a round‑table in Rome, organised by Rud Pedersen Italy and supported by Bayer, addressed the geopolitics of drug value chains. Participants—including industry leaders, government officials and academics—stressed that pharmaceutical supply chains are now a matter of national security, industrial competitiveness and European autonomy. Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made‑in‑Italy Valentino Valentini underlined the need for stable regulation, research incentives and investment‑friendly tools to turn Italy into a European pharma hub. He also warned about the impact of U.S. pricing policies and the Most‑Favoured‑Nation mechanism on European drug costs.

Industry representative Lucia Aleotti opposed a proposed AIFA draft that would force price competition between Italian and Indian manufacturers, calling it harmful to domestic plants. An EFPIA study cited by the sector showed that each euro invested in new medicines generated over five euros in economic and social returns across Europe.