The pandemic, the logistical bottlenecks that have hindered the movement of goods and products around the planet, and now, the war in the region bring to the fore the importance of the pharmaceutical field – a vital sector for everyone. In the context of these major events that directly affected us, we spoke with the executive director of the largest pharmaceutical factory in the Republic of Moldova, Balkan Pharmaceuticals, Vasile Cazacu.
How important is the pharmaceutical field for the population? What are the issues drug manufacturers face today? What is happening with the workforce in this field, but also what are the future plans of Balkan Pharmaceuticals, follow in the interview below conducted by realitatea.md.
The Balkan Pharmaceuticals plant in Singera is currently one of the largest in Eastern Europe. It has 4 industrial flows that ensure the production of over 200 medications, in different forms, doses and variations of packaging – tablets, capsules, powder, ampoules, vials.
“Balkan Pharmaceuticals is the largest Romanian investment in the Republic of Moldova. The company’s portfolio includes a range of products used in a wide range of treatments: from a headache to the treatment of oncological diseases. We have co-opted specialists from Romania, Ukraine, and other nearby countries “, said Vasile Cazacu.
The Balkan Pharmaceuticals plant started with a minimum number of employees, about 40, but we aim to create more than 400 jobs. The job number is increasing day by day. In the context in which we face an exodus of specialists from various fields, the company makes an effort to motivate young specialists to stay in the country.
“Students do their production practice with us. It is an ongoing process. Some students write their bachelor’s thesis at our factory, in collaboration with our specialists. Our management always seeks to maintain and strengthen the team. To stimulate a good specialist, he needs a proper remuneration. This is the basis of all activities. Of course, there are also circumstances: working conditions, team, administration, and the possibility of improvement. However, a decent salary is the motto of development “, added the director of Balkan Pharmaceuticals.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Vasile Cazacu states that there are certain logistical impediments, but the necessary gross products reach their destination, in the end.
“Ukraine, Russia, Belarus are significant producers and have a significant presence on the Moldovan market. We believe that there is a risk, at least in the short term, of facing shortages until an alternative is found. Logistical problems have also arisen recently. Delivery time for raw materials, packaging, and other excipients has been significantly increased. Logistics was disrupted both by sea, land and air. In some cases, the delivery period has doubled in time and cost. The products are arriving late at the factory. We work in advance to have sufficient stocks and to ensure the presence of medicines on the market “, stated Vasile Cazacu.
In addition to the factory in the Republic of Moldova, the director of Balkan Pharmaceuticals reveals that a new investment in Romania is coming. According to him, a factory will be opened in Iasi County, with a total investment of approximately 10 million euros.
“The new industrial complex will be located in Iasi County. It will include a production hall, storage space and offices. It is a project funded by the European Union, through the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020, with a co-financing of 33% by Balkan Pharmaceuticals. From the EU side, the value of the investment will be about 70% of the costs of the works “, concluded the director of Balkan Pharmaceuticals, Vasile Cazacu.
For more convenience and diversity, follow us on Facebook!
In the future, Balkan Pharmaceuticals aims to increase the nomenclature, ambitious EU and CIS expansion plans, expand the market, increase the number of employees and turnover.