Poland pushes API production as pharma firms offer up to 40,000 zł salaries

Europe now sources less than 10% of the world’s active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), with about 80% coming from Asia, chiefly China and India. Poland produces many finished medicines but has only 33 domestic API manufacturers, far fewer than Italy (180) or France (147). The European Commission’s proposed Critical Medicines Act aims to restore capacity for roughly 280 critical APIs, changing public procurement rules and supporting firms that can produce these substances. The Łukasiewicz Institute of Industrial Chemistry, Poland’s second‑largest API producer, can manufacture several critical compounds such as anastrozole, clopidogrel and oseltamivir, often as one of only two or three global suppliers.

In response to supply‑chain risks highlighted by the COVID‑19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, pharmaceutical companies are relocating production to Europe, with Poland becoming a key investment destination. The sector is now competing for specialists in production, quality, automation and supply‑chain management, offering salaries that can reach 40,000 zł gross per month for directors and senior managers. Recruitment specialist Magdalena Niedziałek of Grafton Recruitment notes that demand for expertise in technology transfer, project investment and supply‑chain oversight is driving the wage surge.