Strong growth in turnover of pharmaceuticals

Dutch manufacturers are going through a difficult patch. In 2003 production by the manufacturing industry was 2.3 percent lower than in the previous year, and 4.7 percent lower than in 2000. Turnover in the sector reflects a similar situation. However, turnover in the branch making pharmaceutical component and end products rose by more 14 percent in the period 2000 to 2003.

Turnover and production in manufacturing and chemical industry

The chemical industry is the only sector of manufacturing which has realised a year-on-year production growth in recent years. Although turnover in the sector grew more slowly, as factory gate prices were low, in 2003 turnover was nearly 4 percent higher than in 2000.

Turnover chemical products, 2000-2003

Pharmaceutical products gaining ground

The branch making chemical basic products is a very important part of the Dutch chemical industry. However, the relative size of this branch is diminishing slowly. At the same time the chemical industry is expanding its activities in the category pharmaceutical component and end products substantially.

The products concerned are pharmaceutical semi-manufactures and medicines. This was the only branch within the chemical industry where turnover rose between 2000 and 2003: by just over 14 percent. Turnover in the other branches of the chemical industry fell by about 5 percent in the same period.

As a consequence of the increasing turnover from pharmaceutical products and the falling turnover in other important branches of the chemical industry, the turnover in the pharmaceutical branch is accounting for an increasing part of total turnover in the chemical industry. In the first quarter of 2000 it accounted for just over 16 percent; by the third quarter of 2003 this had risen to more than 19 percent.

Cees Maas