Kikilias: We will reduce the recovery by much less than € 1 billion HELLAS

Vassilis Kikilias announced a recovery reduction for pharmaceutical companies by much less than one billion euros, speaking at the “e-Innovation Roundtables” event on “Innovation: Investing for the future”, organized by the Hellenic-German Commercial and Industrial in cooperation with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Specifically, according to an announcement, the minister, after noting that last year the clawback would reach 1,000 million euros for pharmaceutical companies, this year will be the first time that it will be reduced and even significantly lower compared to 2019, due to systematic investments . implemented by pharmaceutical companies in research and technology. Mr Kikilias, in another part of his post, appeared at the Greek antigen test for Covid-19, which, as he said, will soon be standardized and commercially produced, while his reference to recent Greece investments by multinational pharmaceutical companies. He added, in fact, that Greece’s relationship with Germany is crucial and that there is systematic communication between the governments of the two countries on health-related issues.

“The Greek government and ministry are at the service of those who invest in innovation in health and will continue to support any initiative aimed at combining a technocratic approach with science,” he said, referring to the pandemic and the efforts being made. To address it, he stressed that a huge unprecedented health business has been organized in the country, with a strong presence of new digital technologies. Indeed, Mr. Kikilias highlighted the fact that in the fight against Covid-19, innovation and science acted as allies in medicine.

Earlier, in his greeting, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Ernst Reichel, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the countries of Europe, stating that “Germany and Greece work closely together on innovation and research. Companies with a high rate of innovation will fare better out of the crisis and generate greater prosperity. That is why it is worthwhile, especially now, to continue and deepen our cooperation in Europe ”, emphasized Dr. Ernst Rachel.

For his part, the president of the Hellenic-German Chamber, Konstantinos Marangos, in his greeting referred to the impact of research and development expenses in Greece, noting that in 2019 they amounted to 2,300 million euros, increased by 7.2 % compared to 2018, while the “R&D Intensity” index, which expresses relevant expenditures as a percentage of GDP, increased by 0.06 percentage points.

As you said, Greece is ranked 16th among the EU countries. in terms of research and development expenses. Regarding the personnel employed in the sector, in 2019 they covered 54,833 full-time jobs and researchers respectively 40,084 positions.

Taking as reason a study prepared by IOBE, on behalf of the Hellenic-German Chamber, stated that from 2013 to 2018 the expenses of companies in research and development have more than doubled, however they remain at a significantly lower level in comparison with the Eurozone. He highlighted that according to IOBE, the efficiency of R&D costs in terms of patents is still low in Greece, while the development of innovation in the country will help change its production model.

Commenting on the Greek-German relations, Mr. Marangos noted that “the two countries coexist in many fields of the economy and the Hellenic-German Chamber will remain at the forefront of action, so that their bilateral relations can be further strengthened. In practice, this means that the organization will continue to support its dual role: to act as a central extroversion “gateway” for all Greek companies that are commercially investment-oriented, outside the Greek borders and specifically in Germany and , at the same time, act as Greece’s “Ambassador” and “governmental partner – advisor” to the German business community, “added Maragos.

Meanwhile, at the first “e-Innovation Roundtable” entitled “Innovation and science in the field of health”, which was coordinated by journalist George Sakkas, Ms. Anastasia Kotanidou, Professor of Pneumology and Intensive Care, Director de A ‘KETH, referred to the particularly important role of science and new technologies for the operation of ICUs at a high level, highlighted the constant request of health scientists for each new technology to be applied as soon as possible in ICUs and added that the medical community wants more clinical trials in order for patients to have access to many drugs before they are widely available.

Dimitris Filippou, president of EOF, described for his part as “the demand for innovative gene therapies, which are the future of medical science.” “Medicine adapts to the requirements of each patient with individualized proposals,” he emphasized, while referring to clinical research, he pointed out that in Greece their number is increasing and will continue to rise in the coming years, since they are a highly difficult accompanied by success. capable of leading to the commercialization of a drug. Speaking specifically about innovation, he described it as a spearhead for ever-evolving clinical trials, while referring to the pandemic, he said: “Our health crisis has sent the message that no one is alone in the world. We all must work together. “Universities, education, the state, the private sector, industry must lend a hand, supporting every new innovative product available to improve lives.”

Andreas Pollner, CEO of Bayer Hellas, noted, among other things, that “innovation is the key to shaping the future and meeting the global health and nutrition challenges of an aging and growing population.” Especially in the health field, with innovation we can ensure quality of life and longevity, along with the sustainability of national health systems and the development of the economy. This is a complex situation that requires a holistic approach and ongoing collaboration from the scientific community, governments, industry, and patients. At Bayer, we take this approach with a broad network of partnerships to develop products and services, processes and business models that can lead us to the realization of our “Health and Food for All” vision.

Introducing Dräger Hellas’ performance, Dräger Hellas Managing Director for Greece and Cyprus, Manolis Sidirourgos, noted that it has launched 33 new products, holds 217 patents in the field of health and life protection and has installed 5,000 machines. medical in Greek. hospitals, while, as he said, insisting on investing in innovation stands ready to support a new ICU medical equipment management proposal, which will help reduce many of the daily problems of medical and nursing staff. Finally, he highlighted that companies specialized in the production of medical equipment can contribute, as appropriate, to the reduction of nosocomial infections.