Hungarian pharmaceutical industry has traditionally been playing important role in the generation of national income and domestic health provision. It is being characterized by continuous innovation, product and production development. Its innovative nature manifests not only in research and development, but also in the management and operation of the companies.

Since medicines are articles of confidence their production is supported by state-of-art quality assurance systems throughout the whole dept of production.

Hungarian pharmaceutical industry offers therapeutically excellent products at moderate prices in many indications for the domestic market as well as for export.

Hungarian pharmaceutical industry is one of the oldest drug industries in Europe. As early as 1867 there already was a drug manufacturing enterprise operating in Hungary.

The fundaments of progress have always been built on the achievements of earlier years, decades. The branch is characterized by internationally competitive quality assurance system and high level of professional culture. Privatization of the companies was a key element in the changes that occurred after 1990. From among the leading manufacturers Richter is run by foreign financial investors, while the other historical big manufacturers are owned by foreign professional investors as majority owners. The export-orientation of pharmaceutical industry has been steadily increasing.

60 companies have license to manufacture human medicinal products. Many of these manufacture only simple dosage forms which they supply directly to pharmacies.

As an important element of the legal harmonization process with the European Union, Hungary, in 1994, shifted from the 100 years old legacy of process patent system to product patent system signifying the highest level of intellectual property rights protection.

Of other harmonization obligations environmental protection deserves mentioning due to its labour-consuming nature and the importance of population relations. Compliance with soil, surface and underground waters and air purity regulations requires billions of HUF investments on the part of domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmaceutical industry is an outstandingly effective branch. Year after year its per capita production value, added value and its export surpasses industry average. It gives employment to 15 thousand people directly (of them the rate of intellectual workers is much higher than industry average) and to another approx. 30 thousand people indirectly in the background industries, research facilities and trade. Industry is strongly export-oriented with two-third of its production being sold on foreign markets. As well as export traditionally directed to Eastern European and CIS countries, export to USA and EU is also notable. Investments in the branch have an economy boosting effect and moderate employment problems in the given region.

Hungarian pharmaceutical industry has won recognition in the region. Our four largest producers are ranked among the top ten pharmaceutical companies of the Central- Eastern European countries.