In the first ten months of this year, the production of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations in Serbia, according to the Republic Bureau of Statistics (SORS), increased by 8.6%, while exports increased by 8.7%, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC) announced. However, it is emphasized that there is a deficit in foreign trade, because the import of these products is 624.6 million euros higher than their exports.
“The pharmaceutical industry in Serbia reacted quickly and responsibly, maintaining constant communication with regulatory authorities even in extraordinary circumstances, and provided a secure supply of medicines and medical supplies, but also additional assistance in the form of significant donations,” said Mirjana Vucicevic from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
It is stated that the most sought after are protective masks and gloves, disinfectants, preparations for strengthening immunity, as well as drugs used in the treatment of Covid 19.
According to the same data, the biggest jump in sales of pharmaceutical industry products was during March, and with the spread of the pandemic, most manufacturers concentrated on those products for which there was higher demand.
According to the data of the Republic Bureau of Statistics (SORS), from January to October this year, the value of exports of the domestic pharmaceutical industry increased by 387.1 million euros compared to the same period in 2019.
In the same period, the import of pharmaceutical products was worth 1.1 billion euros, so a foreign trade deficit was recorded in that area of business.
Hemofarm says that despite all the difficulties brought by the corona virus pandemic, they are satisfied with this year’s business.
“We managed to produce 6.5 billion different doses and forms, which is an increase of up to six percent compared to last year, and we expect sales growth of five percent,” Veljko Pesic from that company told Tajnug.
In his opinion, the pharmaceutical industry did better globally than some others, but there were also companies in it that reported losses.
“The most important thing was to have a solid supply chain and a wide portfolio that could meet the needs of the market that arose at the time of the pandemic,” Pesic said.
He adds that 70% of Hemofarm’s production is intended for the foreign market, as well as to be exported to 19 countries of the European Union and to three continents, Nova Ekonomija reports.
