Number of employees in the pharmaceutical industry in Italy 2000-2021

The number of people working in the Italian pharmaceutical industry fluctuated over time. Between 2000 and 2006, the number steadily increased, before gradually decreasing until 2013 when it reached an all-time low of 61.4 thousand employees. Thereafter, the workforce of the pharmaceutical sector grew, achieving 67 thousand employees in 2021.  

Pharmaceutical CDMO

Also, the production value, the investments and the value added of the Italian pharmaceutical industry steadily increased between 2014 and 2020. CDMO (Contract Development Manufacturing Organization) is the flagship of the Italian pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical CDMO developed itself since 1991, when a law - transposing a European directive - made it possible to outsource production stages to facilities not belonging to the company owning the medicinal product.  

International trade

Pertaining to international trade, both imports and exports increased in recent years. In 2021, Germany was the main supplier, whereas Belgium was the major importer. Exports are very important for the Italian pharmaceutical sector. In 2019, 96 percent of the total pharmaceutical production was exported.