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| Expopharm 2009  Since 19th May 2009, at the latest, it has become clear that in the world´s third biggest pharmaceutical market everything, in things concerning pharmaceuticals, will continue to depend on the owner-led and independent pharmacies, also in the future. There will also continue to be no pharmacy chains in Germany in the future. It was on this date that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the German law, which states that only an approved pharmacist may own up to four pharmacies, is in accordance with European law. From 24th until 27th September the owners of these pharmacies will, once again, meet in Düsseldorf for the annual EXPOPHARM which has, already for years, been the central marketplace of the industry.With around 80 million inhabitants, Germany is not only the most populous country in the European Union. It is also home to Europe´s biggest pharmaceutical market. Last year 21,602 pharmacies generated a turnover of 37.9 billion Euros (excluding VAT). Of this, 90% came from pharmaceuticals. The pharmacies are not only one of Germany´s biggest employers (at the end of 2008 they employed 145,000 employees) but they also provide a considerable investment volume for the continued development of their businesses. "After the ruling of the ECJ we expect an even greater interest from the pharmacy owners than in past years", explains Gregor Ulrich, managing director of the Werbe- und Vertriebsgesellschaft Deutscher Apotheker mbH which organises the EXPOPHARM. "Because of the upcoming European ruling many pharmacy owners held back their investments but now that there is clarity here this bottleneck will be dispersed". Not least this also makes it even more attractive for foreign firms to present themselves and their products at the EXPOPHARM. The fair does, after all, not only offer direct access to the German pharmacies but it has also developed itself in recent years to an international leading pharmaceutical fair. "Our foreign exhibitors, in particular, are using the EXPOPHARM to make new business to business contacts" explains Ulrich. The fair management successfully supports this development, for example by creating an international meeting point which has, for years, been growing in popularity. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Exhibition News :: home page |