Guaranteed Irish to hold roundtable discussions on safeguarding homegrown pharma jobs in post-Brexit Ireland

With the upcoming Brexit deadline on October 31st fast approaching, Guaranteed Irish is reminding business members across various sectors nationwide of the need to prepare for Brexit. The business membership organisation is working closely with business members in the Irish pharmaceutical industry and related sectors nationwide in preparation for a post-Brexit economy with various events across the country.

Ireland has established itself as a global pharma and medtech hub in recent years, with two dozen of the world’s top 25 pharmaceutical companies now calling Ireland home. The pharmaceutical and medtech industry in Ireland employs over 30,000 people directly, with many more indirect jobs created as a result. According to recent data published by the CSO, Ireland is currently the second-largest exporter of medtech products in Europe with €12.6 billion generated from the export of such products. In total, we are the 7th largest exporter of medicinal and pharmaceutical products in the world and the sector is worth €39 billion annually in exports, accounting for 50% of all exports.

However, there is a lack of awareness of this innovative sector among the public, the sustainable exciting careers available in it and the significant role these companies play in their local communities and the wider healthcare landscape in Ireland generally. The aim of initiatives such as the annual Guaranteed Irish Pharma Month each October is to highlight the innovation, advances in R&D, investments, growing employment in this sector as well as highlight opportunities for industry and bodies such as Guaranteed Irish and the IDA to work together to build on the profile of the work being conducted here, the value it brings at national and local level and the calibre of the careers available across the industry.

Guaranteed Irish currently has 18 business members in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries throughout Ireland, including MSD, AstraZeneca, Janssen Sciences and Ipsen. Pharmaceutical members of the Guaranteed Irish network have demonstrated their commitment to providing quality jobs to the Irish economy. Earlier this year, Guaranteed Irish member Janssen Sciences announced the near completion of a major expansion plan in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork that will provide employment to an additional 200 people once finished. Altogether, Guaranteed Irish has a network of 600+ members nationwide across various industries, supporting over 71,390 jobs with an annual combined turnover of €11.2 billion to the Irish economy.

Guaranteed Irish Pharma Month

In October, Guaranteed Irish will mark Pharma Month with their annual invite-only Pharmaceutical Roundtable & Panel Discussion taking place on Tuesday, October 8h at The Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin from 3 pm – 5.30 pm.

The event will be attended by key decision-makers in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as government representatives including:

– Ger Brennan, Managing Director, MSD
– Paul Reid, Director General, HSE
– Oliver O’Connor, CEO, IPHA
– Dr Lorraine Nolan, CEO, Health Products Regulatory Body (H.P.R.A)

Guaranteed Irish is one of Ireland’s most enduring, recognisable and authentic symbols. The Guaranteed Irish symbol helps Irish consumers identify products and services that are a better choice for jobs and local communities in Ireland. Businesses that have been awarded the Guaranteed Irish mark have fulfilled the following criteria:

– People & Jobs: Businesses that provide quality, sustainable jobs for people living in Ireland.

– Place/ Provenance: Businesses that genuinely operate and add value in Ireland.

– Enterprise & Community: Businesses that meaningfully engage with the local communities in which they are based.

“By being Guaranteed Irish, it’s a differentiator for businesses in Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector, a platform to gain a competitive advantage. The Guaranteed Irish mark speaks volumes about a company’s values. Guaranteed Irish represents all that is good about Ireland and we need to protect those businesses who aspire to that,” Brid O’Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish

Ger Brennan, Managing Director at MSD and guest panellist said: “MSD Ireland has been a proud member of Guaranteed Irish for over ten years, playing an active part in the communities in which we operate and creating sustainable and long-term jobs nationwide. I very much welcome initiatives such as Guaranteed Irish Pharma Month which provide a great showcase for all of the positive initiatives underway across the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland, as well as identifying the challenges we need to tackle today to ensure this industry continues to go from strength to strength.”

To confirm your interest in attending the Pharmaceutical Roundtable & Panel Discussion, contact the team directly at info@guaranteedirish.ie at the earliest convenience.