Malta exports around €500 million in pharmaceuticals and chemicals each year, establishing itself as a major player in the European medicines market.
This sector is deeply embedded in the country’s economic fabric, with companies benefitting from proximity to key markets, Government support and open dialogue between industry stakeholders and education providers aimed at developing the potential of the country’s human resources.
Malta is a leader in the production of generic pharmaceuticals, being one of the few European Union countries to fully recognise the research exemption of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and European Patent Convention.
This broad interpretation of the convention allows companies in Malta to develop generic versions of patented drugs prior to the patent’s expiry, provided they are not commercialised. A generic drug can be manufactured, tested and approved while the competitor’s patent is still in effect, enabling Malta-based generic pharmaceutical companies to bring their product to market without delay upon patent expiration.
