Rome, 20 Nov. (Adnkronos Health) – A dialogue with institutions on the future of the pharmaceutical sector in the Puglia region: this is the objective of ‘Science and technology to create value’, a meeting promoted in recent days by Merck in the pharmaceutical company’s plant in Modugno (Bari ). As underlined by Ramón Palou de Comasema, president and CEO of Merck Italia, “we at Merck believe in the importance of making innovative investments to enable greater competitiveness in Italy and confirm the strategic importance of investment in this country for the our company. We want to continue in this direction, and we know that politics is aware of the contribution that global companies like Merck make to the territories in which they operate. All of us, public and private actors, must work together to ensure a fair, sustainable and sustainable healthcare system competitive. I strongly believe that this is a fundamental priority for our country.”
For this reason, the plant has been identified as the ideal place to host a debate with institutions on the contribution that global companies such as Merck – reports a note – and more generally the pharmaceutical sector, can offer to the territory that hosts them. The works were opened by Ramón Palou de Comasema, Annalisa Calvano, director of the Bari-Modugno plant, and the mayor of Modugno Nicola Bonasia. The first round table, with a focus on attracting new investments, with a view to increasing strategic autonomy for Italy’s health security, was attended by, among others, Dario Damiani, group leader in the Senate Budget Committee , Gianmauro Dell’Olio, vice-president of the Chamber Budget Commission, Mariangela Matera of the Chamber Finance Commission, Alessandro Delli Noci, councilor for Economic Development of the Puglia Region, Fabrizio Lobasso, deputy general director Maeci, and Sergio Fontana, president of Confindustria Bari and Bat.
The second moment of discussion was dedicated to topics such as: equity of access to care and sustainability of the system, paying particular attention to the challenges that public health will have to face in the near future. Speakers included MEP Michele Picaro, Ignazio Zullo of the Social Affairs Commission of the Senate, Vito Montanaro, director of the Human and Animal Health Department of the Puglia Region, Stefania Percolla, representative of the Strada per un Sogno Patients Association, and Gianluca Pedicini, representative of Aism.
“The Merck production site in Modugno-Bari represents an example of how a multinational can contribute to the economic growth of a territory, positioning itself as one of the main manufacturing hubs of the pharmaceutical sector in the Region – said Calvano – With 200 million euros of investments in recent years, we have consolidated our presence in Puglia, attracting European and national resources and promoting the economic and social development of the area. Over the years we have managed to integrate an international scope with a significant local impact, contributing to the creation of jobs and the growth of skills, thanks to policies aimed at inclusion and the support of young talents”.
On the sidelines of the event and on the occasion of the institutional visit to the Merck plant, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Marcello Gemmato declared: “It is a priority for the Government to identify measures capable of keeping our country attractive and competitive, in terms of skills and investments. This is why the Ministry of Health, together with Mimit, has created a joint table with representatives of the pharmaceutical supply chain to work together on possible measures, such as research incentives and streamlined administrative procedures , to example, it is one of the objectives of the single SEZ of the South, which has contributed in recent months to making the South an economic locomotive of Italy due to the current government stability”.
The Future of Pharma: Merck and the Need for Innovation in Puglia
Welcome to the delightful world of corporate dialogue, where pharmaceutical giants like Merck don their best suits and addresses to renew their vows with regional governments! Recently, they held a symposium entitled ‘Science and Technology to Create Value’ at their Modugno plant in Bari, and let me tell you, the rhetoric was flowing like Italian wine at a wedding!
A Love Story Between Merck and Puglia
As Ramón Palou de Comasema, the CEO of Merck Italia, eloquently put it (probably while standing on a precarious soapbox), “We at Merck believe in the importance of making innovative investments.”
Now, when I hear “innovative investments,” my ears perk up! For me, that’s code for “Let’s sprinkle some cash around to make ourselves look good while keeping you all happy.” And who doesn’t love a good sprinkle of cash, right? It’s like chocolate sauce on your already fantastic gelato!
A Day of Promises
The event kicked off, and by the looks of it, if you closed your eyes, you’d think you were at the Oscars. We had a star-studded cast of budget committee bigwigs, regional development councillors, and a few MEPs thrown into the mix, all brainstorming ways to attract new investments like a moth to a flame—or should I say, a politician to an open bar?
In true Italian style, the first roundtable was dedicated to the serious business of increasing Italy’s strategic autonomy. Now, that’s code for “Let’s make sure we’re not too reliant on other countries while we figure out how to grow our own pharmaceutical sector!” It’s a touchy subject, like explaining to Nonna that lasagna can be made with zucchini instead of pasta.
Access and Sustainability: The Double Whammy
Then came the second act: a meticulously crafted dialogue on healthcare access and system sustainability. Ah yes, because what speaks more to the heart of Italians than the thought of not being able to get a doctor’s appointment without selling your left kidney?
Industry experts and patient representatives gathered to address these challenges, emphasizing that “with great investment comes great responsibility.” I mean, if Spider-Man can teach us about the pharmaceuticals, I reckon we can implement a superhero strategy for healthcare, right?
Investment: Keep It Flowing
According to Annalisa Calvano, the director of the Bari-Modugno plant, Merck has invested a whopping 200 million euros in Puglia. That’s a lot of gelato! This isn’t just a check in the mailbox; it’s about creating jobs and honing local talents. That’s the business equivalent of a warm hug, friends! And we all know how much the Italians LOVE their hugs—especially when it involves the hope of a secure future.
Government’s Role: The Golden Ticket
The undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Marcello Gemmato, chirped in with the government’s ultimate plan: making Italy attractive for businesses. Because who doesn’t want to be the popular one at the business prom? They’re talking about research incentives and streamlined administrative procedures—as easy as pie (or should I say torta?).
As the dust settles on this gathering of pharmaceutical minds, one takeaway remains clear: Merck is stepping up, and if the goodness continues to flow—like a well-poured glass of wine—Puglia might just become the next pharmaceutical powerhouse.
Conclusion: A New Dawn?
So here we are, folks, at the intersection of innovation and investment, where the stakes are high, and the laughs are even higher. Will this be the dawn of a new age for the pharmaceutical sector in Puglia? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: If they can keep the dialogue open and the flavourful conversations going, we might just be heading into uncharted waters of growth!
Rome, 20 Nov. (Adnkronos Health) – A significant dialogue focused on the future of the pharmaceutical sector in the Puglia region is set to unfold: this initiative, titled ‘Science and technology to create value’, recently convened at the Merck facility in Modugno (Bari). Ramón Palou de Comasema, president and CEO of Merck Italia, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovative investments that enhance Italy’s competitiveness. He stated, “We at Merck recognize the strategic importance of our investments in Italy, aiming to further our collaboration with the public and private sectors for a fair, sustainable healthcare system.” Palou reiterated that a robust commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure is a critical priority for the nation, underscoring the essential role of global corporations like Merck in fostering local economic growth.
For this reason, the Merck plant was strategically chosen as a venue for discussions between institutional leaders and business representatives regarding the pharmaceutical sector’s contributions to the local community. The meeting kicked off with distinguished speakers including Ramón Palou de Comasema, Annalisa Calvano, director of the Bari-Modugno plant, and Nicola Bonasia, the mayor of Modugno. The first round table concentrated on attracting new investments aimed at boosting Italy’s strategic autonomy in health security, featuring prominent figures such as Dario Damiani, group leader in the Senate Budget Committee, and Gianmauro Dell’Olio, vice-president of the Chamber Budget Commission.
The second discussion focused on pressing issues such as equitable access to healthcare and system sustainability, with insights on the imminent challenges facing public health. Notable speakers included MEP Michele Picaro and Ignazio Zullo from the Senate’s Social Affairs Commission, as well as Vito Montanaro from the Puglia Region’s Human and Animal Health Department. Their contributions highlighted the collective commitment to navigating the complex landscape of healthcare delivery in the region.
“The Merck production site in Modugno-Bari exemplifies how a multinational corporation can significantly impact local economic growth,” stated Calvano. With an impressive investment of 200 million euros in recent years, Merck has solidified its presence in Puglia, drawing both European and national resources to foster the region’s economic and social development. “Our ongoing commitment has created job opportunities and cultivated local talent, demonstrating the benefits of integrating an international business perspective with local community needs.” The meeting emphasized the dual goal of global reach and local impact in promoting regional development.
On the sidelines of the event, during a visit to the Merck facility, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Marcello Gemmato articulated the government’s priority of ensuring Italy remains an attractive destination for investment and skilled labor. “The Ministry of Health is collaborating closely with Mimit to establish a joint task force with stakeholders from the pharmaceutical supply chain,” he noted. “We aim to discuss essential measures such as research incentives and streamlined administrative processes, with a focus on revitalizing the Southern economy, which is gaining momentum under the current government’s stable policies.” This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to making the Puglia region and the larger Southern Italy an economic powerhouse.
What are the key challenges facing the healthcare system that Michele Picaro, Ignazio Zullo, and Vito Montanaro emphasized in their discussions?
EP Michele Picaro, Ignazio Zullo of the Social Affairs Commission of the Senate, and Vito Montanaro, director of the Human and Animal Health Department of the Puglia Region, among others. They collectively emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure that the healthcare system not only survives but thrives in the future.
The Merck Commitment
Annalisa Calvano proudly noted that the Merck production site in Modugno-Bari stands as a testament to the mutual benefits of corporate investment and local economic development. With a staggering €200 million invested in recent years, Merck aims to solidify its presence in Puglia and foster the economic and social development of the area. This commitment not only enhances the local job market but also helps in cultivating essential skills, particularly among the youth, thus sewing together the fabric of community growth.
Government’s Vision: A Collaborative Approach
Expressing the government’s perspective, Marcello Gemmato highlighted the necessity for Italy to remain an attractive destination for pharmaceutical investments. By convening joint efforts with the pharmaceutical supply chain, the Ministry aims to devise strategic measures such as research incentives and simplified administrative processes to bolster competitiveness. Gemmato’s insights strike a chord with the overarching theme of unity between public and private sectors—a union crucial for nurturing the evolution of healthcare in Italy.
Looking Ahead
The discourse at the Merck plant showcases a proactive approach to intertwining innovation with healthcare accessibility and economic resilience. The engagement of various stakeholders from different spheres—political, corporate, and patient advocacy—reflects a shared commitment to not only refine Italy’s healthcare landscape but also strengthen its standing within the global pharmaceutical arena.
Conclusion: Towards a Promising Future
In closing, the dialogue around ‘Science and Technology to Create Value’ serves as a promising precursor to potential advancements in Puglia’s pharmaceutical sector. With the continued collaboration across sectors and a collective vision for a sustainable healthcare system, the region might be on the cusp of a significant transformation. By combining innovative investment strategies with community-centric approaches, both Merck and the Italian government are poised to usher in a new chapter in healthcare that prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and growth.
