Saxony-Anhalt launches five-point plan to boost pharma sector

Saxony-Anhalt aims to solidify its position as a leading pharmaceutical center in Europe through a new future pact and a five-point plan, announced by Minister President Sven Schulze. Following a pharmaceutical summit in Magdeburg, Schulze emphasized the importance of the state's existing infrastructure and its significant contribution to Germany's and Europe's drug supply.

"A large part of the pharmaceutical supply in Germany depends on Saxony-Anhalt," Schulze stated. "Many medications you take today in Germany, and sometimes in Europe, come from Saxony-Anhalt." The plan, developed in collaboration with representatives from science, industry, associations, and unions, focuses on creating favorable conditions for new investments, innovations, and skilled employment.

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A large part of the pharmaceutical supply in Germany depends on Saxony-Anhalt. Many medications you take today in Germany, and sometimes in Europe, come from Saxony-Anhalt.

Key elements of the five-point plan include accelerating approval processes for new facilities and expansions, establishing a central point of contact within the state chancellery, and boosting production capacities for critical medicines. The initiative also aims to foster annual discussions through a dedicated pharma summit and smaller follow-up meetings.

Companies like Bayer, Merz Pharma, and Wacker already operate in Saxony-Anhalt, employing approximately 30,000 people directly and indirectly in the sector. Han Steutel, President of the Association of Researching Pharmaceutical Companies, praised the summit, highlighting Germany's excellent infrastructure for the pharmaceutical industry and Saxony-Anhalt's advantage of shorter communication lines as a smaller state. He stressed the need for Germany to remain competitive against global players like the United States and China.

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The infrastructure for the researching pharmaceutical industry in Germany is excellent. Saxony-Anhalt, as one of the smaller federal states, has a huge advantage: the paths are shorter.