The Spanish Pharmaceutical Industry

Spain’s Pharmaceutical Market at a Glance

The pharmaceutical industry in Spain is among the top five in Europe, alongside Germany, France, Italy, and the UK. The most current official statistics and analysis from Farmaindustria (2024) confirm Spain’s pharmaceutical industry as a strategic pillar with record figures in production, employment, innovation, and exports, providing a detailed snapshot for 2024.

The pharmaceutical industry in Spain is among the top five in Europe, alongside Germany, France, Italy, and the UK. The most current official statistics and analysis from

Spain’s Pharmaceutical Market at a Glance

The pharmaceutical industry in Spain is among the top five in Europe, alongside Germany, France, Italy, and the UK. The most current official statistics and analysis from Farmaindustria (2024) confirm Spain’s pharmaceutical industry as a strategic pillar with record figures in production, employment, innovation, and exports, providing a detailed snapshot for 2024.

Sector Overview 2024

• Spain’s pharmaceutical manufacturing reached €23 billion, a 40% increase over three years, representing nearly 30% of all high-tech manufacturing output.
• The country is home to 174 production plants (106 for human medicines), reaffirming its strength in manufacturing and industrial flexibility.
• The sector remains the fifth-largest exporter in Spain, with foreign sales of over €20 billion in 2024.

Employment and Quality

• 56,000 direct jobs (up from 47,000 previously reported), 96% of which are permanent contracts.
• The total employment impact reaches 270,000 when indirect and induced jobs are included.
• 70% of employees are university graduates, and the industry is a leader in productivity, nearly double the Spanish average.

Research and Innovation

• R&D investment exceeded €1.5 billion in 2024, representing 20% of all industrial R&D nationally.
• Spain is now the leading European country in clinical trial participation, consolidating its reputation as a biomedical innovation hub.
• 60% of pharmaceutical R&D investment goes to clinical trials, and 1 in 4 trials targets rare diseases.

Regulatory and Strategic Developments

• The Spanish government launched the “Strategia de la Industria Farmacéutica 2024-2028,” designating pharma as a pillar for future industrial growth and international competitiveness.
• Ongoing regulatory reforms touch drug pricing, financing, public procurement, patent legislation, and environmental compliance—positioning Spain for global competitiveness.

Access to Innovation

• In 2024, Spain incorporated 62% of the innovative medicines authorized by the EU between 2019–2022 into national funding—showing improvement but still trailing Germany, France, and Italy.
• Time from European approval to Spanish patient access averages 22 months, reflecting significant administrative and pricing hurdles.

Diversity, ESG, and Sustainability

• 56% of employees are women, with 45% female representation in management.
• The ESG commitments include 80% of leading companies targeting net-zero emissions by 2040, use of renewable energy, and advanced recycling programs.

These metrics, directly sourced from the latest official report, demonstrate Spain’s climb toward innovation and global leadership, with clear progress in most key areas during 2024.

Spain pharmacy market outlook

The Spain pharmacy market will grow through rising demand for personalized medicine, expanded biosimilar production, and adoption of digital health tools like AI diagnostics and telepharmacy.

• Increased demand for personalized medicine and biologics.
• Greater production of biosimilars, reducing costs for the healthcare system.
• Growth in digital health technologies (AI diagnostics, telepharmacy).
• Expansion of manufacturing for global markets, with Spain positioned as a key EU production and distribution hub.

By 2030, revenues are projected to exceed €25 billion, with exports contributing more than half of industry value (Statista, Farmaindustria).

Strategic Role in the National and EU Economy

Spain’s pharmaceutical sector is formally classified as a strategic industry by the national government and integrated into the EU’s industrial policy, highlighted by the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy 2024–2028, which designates it as a pillar for Spain’s economic and technological sovereignty. This policy prioritizes the sector’s development, resilience, and autonomy, positioning Spain as a reference point for biomedical research and pharmaceutical production in Europe.

Pharma’s contribution to GDP and employment

The pharmaceutical industry generates more than €27 billion in value added, representing nearly 2% of Spain’s GDP, and is supported by strategic public–private initiatives like . The industry directly employs over 56,000 professionals, with total sectoral employment exceeding 270,000 jobs when accounting for indirect and induced impacts—most in high-value R&D, manufacturing, and distribution roles. These figures underscore the sector’s multiplier effects and high productivity, making pharma one of the top contributors to economic growth and quality employment in Spain.

Importance to healthcare and EU supply chain

Pharmaceuticals are vital for public health, ensuring rapid access to innovative medicines and safeguarding the sustainability of the National Health System. The government’s strategic classification emphasizes pharma’s role in national security and supply-chain resilience—minimizing risks caused by external dependencies and disruptions. Spain’s capacity for localized production secures essential supplies, supporting the EU-wide push for strategic autonomy in health technologies and medicines.

Leading hubs: Barcelona, Madrid, and Catalonia BioRegion

Barcelona and Madrid are recognized as major pharma hubs, hosting leading multinational firms, advanced research centers, and specialized hospitals. Both cities offer infrastructure, talent, and connectivity that attract domestic and global investment, and drive collaborative projects across manufacturing, R&D, and clinical innovation. This cluster effect amplifies the geographic and sectoral competitiveness of Spain’s pharmaceutical landscape.

Role of Catalonia BioRegion in Biotech Innovation

Catalonia’s BioRegion—centered in Barcelona—represents Spain’s most dynamic ecosystem for biotech innovation, with 70% of Spanish biotech companies and several prominent academic and research institutions. The region excels in translational research, clinical trials, and partnership-building across startups, universities, and pharma giants, consolidating its status as the country’s powerhouse in biomedical research and drug development.

These structural advantages confirm the pharmaceutical industry’s strategic significance for both Spain and the wider EU, with distinctive leadership in health, employment, technological innovation, and international competitiveness.

Innovation, R&D, and Clinical Trials

Spain’s strategy for pharmaceutical innovation

H3 Focus on Research and Development Investments

Spain’s pharmaceutical industry has set a clear strategy of prioritizing high investment in research, development, and innovation, with private sector clinical research exceeding €834 million in 2023, up from €479 million in 2012—a nearly doubling in just ten years. This positioning is reinforced by regular public-private partnerships and a coordinated regulatory framework that accelerates scientific progress. (

Spain’s Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy

The national strategy is focused on leveraging Spain’s robust healthcare infrastructure, efficient regulatory environment, and strong R&D ecosystem to position the country as a continental leader in applied biomedical innovation. With the swift adaptation of the and a proactive encouragement of hospital participation, Spain now combines speed, quality, and ethical standards to attract multinational investment, making it a preferred hub for clinical drug development.

Role of Clinical Trials and Patient-Centered Innovation

By the close of 2023, Spain had authorized over trial activity. Major therapeutic areas include oncology, neurology, and rare diseases—with more than 207 trials focused on rare diseases alone. The country’s network of hospitals and health professionals is celebrated for rapid patient recruitment and excellence in trial conduct, granting Spanish patients early access to groundbreaking therapies.

Leading players in innovation

• Grifols: A global leader in plasma-derived therapies and transfusion medicine, headquartered in Barcelona.
• Almirall: Specialized in dermatology with strong R&D in immune-inflammatory conditions.
• Rovi: Gained international recognition by manufacturing part of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for global distribution.
• Rubió: A mid-sized Spanish company known for R&D collaborations and focus on innovative neurological and cardiovascular drugs, also engaging in global partnerships to expand therapeutic reach.

The focus is not limited to large pharma; Spain has a strong biotech start-up ecosystem, particularly in Catalonia and Madrid, fueled by university spin-offs and innovation hubs.

This comprehensive focus on innovation, clinical trials, and targeted research investment between 2023 and 2024 confirms Spain’s standing as the European champion for clinical trial activity, patient-centered biomedical progress, and active international partnerships.

Regulatory and Institutional Landscape

Key regulatory bodies

Spain’s pharmaceutical sector operates within a well-structured regulatory and institutional framework that ensures medicines are safe, effective, accessible, and aligned with both national and European Union (EU) standards. The system involves coordination between national agencies, the central government, European institutions, and industry associations.

The AEMPS is Spain’s national medicines and medical devices agency, operating under the Ministry of Health. Its mandate extends across several responsibilities:

• Evaluation and Authorization: AEMPS assesses new medicines and health products prior to market entry, granting licenses for commercialization.
• Monitoring and Oversight: It supervises the safety and quality of medicines throughout their lifecycle, including post-marketing pharmacovigilance.
• Clinical Trials Authorization: AEMPS regulates clinical trials in Spain, ensuring they meet ethical and scientific standards.
• Inspections and Quality Control: The agency oversees manufacturing sites, distribution channels, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

The Ministry of Health defines the broader healthcare and pharmaceutical policy framework, including:

• Pricing and Reimbursement Policies: It establishes mechanisms for negotiating medicine prices, reimbursement conditions, and inclusion in the national health system (SNS).
• Strategic Health Policies: Coordinates national plans for healthcare delivery, ensuring equitable access to essential medicines across regions.
• Oversight of Public Health Spending: Plays a central role in balancing healthcare sustainability while promoting innovation in pharmaceuticals.

Collaboration with the European Medicines Agency EU Member State, Spain actively contributes to the European regulatory ecosystem:

• Scientific Contribution: Spanish experts, often from AEMPS, serve as rapporteurs and co-rapporteurs in EMA assessments.
• Harmonized Approval Procedures: Spain participates in centralized procedures, ensuring medicines approved by the EMA are directly valid in Spain.
• Pharmacovigilance Cooperation: Integration with the EU-wide monitoring system allows rapid response to safety issues.

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance Procedures:

• EU and National Regulations: Compliance with EU directives and national laws covering safety, efficacy, manufacturing standards, and distribution.
• Pharmacovigilance Reporting: Obligations for ongoing safety monitoring and adverse-effect reporting.
• Ethical Standards in Clinical Trials: Clinical research is subject to approval by both AEMPS and independent ethics committees, ensuring protection of patient rights and adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Transparency Requirements: Regulations promote transparency in interactions between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, and administrations.

What is the Spanish Association of Pharmaceutical Industry?

The Spanish Pharmaceutical Industry Association (Farmaindustria) represents the innovative pharmaceutical sector and plays a central role in shaping the regulatory and institutional environment:

• Industry Advocacy: Serves as the main voice of pharmaceutical companies, facilitating dialogue with regulators, policymakers, and healthcare stakeholders.
• Ethical and Compliance Framework: Oversees a Code of Good Practices to ensure transparency in relationships with healthcare professionals.
• Innovation and Access: Works with governmental bodies to promote patient access to innovative medicines while contributing to the sustainability of the National Health System.
• Sector Coordination: Provides statistical insights, supports internationalization, and fosters collaboration in research and development.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Exports

Spain has established itself as a manufacturing powerhouse within Europe’s pharmaceutical supply chain, combining advanced production capacity with strong international integration. The country offers both scale and specialization, making it one of the EU’s leading contributors to medicine availability worldwide.

H3 Manufacturing capacity

Spain’s industrial base for pharmaceuticals is robust and diversified:

• Extensive Infrastructure: There are over 80 production plants located across the country, many of them strategically situated near key logistics hubs such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia.
• International Certification: Numerous facilities are FDA-approved (for the United States) and EMA-approved (for the EU), enabling Spanish manufacturers to serve regulated global markets.
• Specialized Production: Spain stands out for high-value therapeutic categories:

1. Injectables (including biologics and vaccines), a growing segment driven by biotechnology.
2. Oral medicines, supporting both generic and innovative pipelines.
3. Plasma-derived therapies and specialty medicines, where Spain has built significant expertise and lead export volumes in Europe.

• Innovation and R&D Integration: Many plants are linked to in-house and academic research centers, making Spain a hub where manufacturing and innovation intersect.

Pharmaceutical exports

In 2023, Spain exported €26.8 billion worth of pharmaceutical products, a record high that reflected 6% year-on-year growth. The main export markets include Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and the US (). Pharmaceuticals have become one of Spain’s most dynamic and resilient export sectors, continuing to expand even during global downturns such as COVID-19, which reinforced the country’s status as a reliable EU medicine supplier.

Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility

The pharmaceutical industry in Spain integrates sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into its long-term strategy, reflecting both regulatory pressure and global demand for greener healthcare solutions.

h3 Environmental and social initiatives

Spanish pharmaceutical companies increasingly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) (United Nations).

Key initiatives include:

• Reducing carbon footprints through low-emission manufacturing processes and the adoption of green chemistry practices. Farmaindustria reports that more than 60% of pharma facilities in Spain are already implementing energy efficiency plans..
• Waste management and recycling programs that target packaging reduction and improved circular economy models.
• Energy efficiency and renewable transition, with companies pledging to source more than 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 (European Commission – Climate Strategy).
• Programs for equitable access to medicines, with industry-wide initiatives supporting affordable treatments, particularly in Latin America and Africa, where Spain has strong trade ties (EFPIA).

Rubió’s Sustainability Role

Few mid-sized pharma companies show the strategic sustainability depth of Rubió. Through its #RubióForTheFuture initiative, the company demonstrates that sustainability ambition is not limited to large global firms.

Key highlights of Rubió’s sustainability strategy include:

• Commitment to renewable energy: All manufacturing facilities are transitioning to renewable sources, significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Employee training programs: Rubió invests in sustainability awareness and responsible resource use, embedding environmental responsibility across every level of the organization.
• Governance integration: Sustainability is embedded in corporate governance, serving as a strategic compass rather than a compliance tool. This approach reflects a company culture where environmental and social responsibility are already deeply ingrained
• By adopting this comprehensive approach, Rubió positions itself as a benchmark for sustainability-driven mid-sized pharmaceutical companies in Spain, strengthening its global reputation and competitiveness.

Why It Matters

Sustainability has become a competitive differentiator in Spain’s pharmaceutical market. With exports representing more than €26 billion in 2023, global buyers increasingly favor suppliers with strong environmental and ethical credentials. By embedding CSR practices, Spanish pharma strengthens its global reputation, supply chain resilience, and compliance with EU Green Deal targets.

Future Outlook and Challenges

The Spain pharmacy market outlook points to digital transformation and innovation as defining forces for the next decade. From AI-driven drug discovery to telepharmacy and e-prescriptions, digital tools are reshaping how patients access treatments and how companies deliver care.

Digital transformation

• AI in drug discovery: GlobalData estimates AI could reduce early-stage R&D timelines by up to 30%, lowering costs and speeding patient access to new therapies according to
• E-prescriptions: Over 95% of prescriptions in Spain are already electronic, enabling integration with digital health records and smoother patient care pathways (
• Telepharmacy: Post-COVID, more than 40% of Spanish pharmacies report offering some form of teleconsultation or remote pharmaceutical care ().

Key trends shaping the future

• Biosimilars: Spain is a frontrunner in Europe for biosimilar adoption, with biosimilars now covering over 70% of available biologic molecules and expected to save the healthcare system billions in annual costs by 2030.
• Personalized medicine: Advances in genomics and digital diagnostics are enabling tailored treatments. Spain’s genomic medicine strategy, backed by public funding of €100 million, is set to accelerate adoption by 2025.
• Cell and gene therapies: Spain is positioning itself as a European leader in advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). The Spanish Agency of Medicines (AEMPS) has approved more than 30 clinical trials in ATMPs since 2020, making Spain one of the most active EU hubs for these therapies (
• Collaborations: Public-private partnerships are expanding, with initiatives like the PERTE Salud de Vanguardia program, which allocates €1.5 billion to accelerate R&D and improve early patient access to breakthrough therapies (

Challenges ahead

Despite rapid growth, challenges remain. Rising R&D costs, regulatory complexity, and global supply chain vulnerabilities will test Spain’s ability to maintain its strong position. However, sustained investment in digital innovation, biosimilars, and advanced therapies positions Spain as a pharmaceutical leader within the EU by 2030.

Conclusion

The pharmaceutical industry in Spain is not simply a supplier of medicines—it is a pillar of the Spanish economy, a key contributor to European health sovereignty, and a global innovation hub.

Its strengths include:

• A large and competitive domestic market with international reach
• Strong R&D base with world-class clinical trial capabilities
• Competitive manufacturing and export networks
• Commitment to sustainability and social responsibility

The Spain pharmacy market outlook remains highly positive, pointing to growth in personalized medicine, biosimilars, and digital healthcare. By fostering collaboration between public institutions, private companies, and EU partners, Spain is poised to remain at the forefront of the global pharmaceutical stage—delivering both health innovations and economic value.