Sandoz, a leading pharmaceutical company, has expanded its production capacity in Kundl, Austria by doubling its output to 240 million packs per year. This crucial location for antibiotic supply in Europe and beyond is vital for the industry’s sustainability. The expansion was made possible with significant investments from Sandoz and support from the Austrian government.
Sandoz is facing challenges in the pharmaceutical industry due to many companies withdrawing from the antibiotics market. However, the company has adapted to meet these demands and is currently manufacturing around one billion additional tablets of penicillin in the first half of the year, with final tests currently ongoing. Additionally, a new bottling plant for dry juices used as antibiotics for children is already operational due to increasing demand.
The opening ceremony for the new production facility took place on Thursday, where Sandoz filled and packaged amoxicillin, an active ingredient sourced not from Asia but from a neighboring building in Kundl/Tyrol. The European head of Sandoz emphasized the importance of this location for antibiotic production and stressed the need for competitive pricing policies to maintain production in the region.
Sandoz’s expansion in Kundl has been instrumental in securing the continuation of antibiotic manufacturing in Europe and beyond. It employs 2,700 people in Kundl and has also made significant investments in Slovenia and Poland. The Austrian government’s funding has been instrumental in supporting this expansion, ensuring that essential medicines are readily available to those who need them most.
However, it is not just about expanding capacity; it is also essential to think beyond borders when addressing shortages of essential medicines. EU-wide measures are needed to ensure sustainable framework conditions and support from governments and the EU can help secure basic medications’ production.
In conclusion, companies like Sandoz are adapting to meet changing market demands while maintaining sustainability through strategic expansions like those seen in Kundl/Tyrol. With support from governments and organizations like EU-wide measures, we can ensure that essential medications remain accessible globally.
