Orion’s Nordic pharmaceutical production means security for all of Europe

Orion’s six plants in Finland work every day to ensure that medicines and their active ingredients are available on demand. There are more than 1,400 employees involved in the supply and procurement chain in Finland.   

The largest pharmaceutical plants are located in Espoo and Turku, producing a range of tablets, asthma inhalers, injections, hormonal gels, medical creams, and cancer drugs. Orion’s domestic production also includes liquid medicines.    

The plants in Finland mainly produce medicines for human use. In addition, Orion has production plants in Belgium and France that manufacture veterinary medicines.

Versatility is Orion’s strength

Did you know that Orion is as old as Finland's independence? Both originated in 1917. Historically, Orion has been the principal pharmaceutical manufacturer in Finland, and this legacy is still reflected in its exceptionally versatile production of medicines and wide range of individual products.   

“In this respect, we are quite a special case in Europe,” says Iikka Keskinen, Orion’s Director of Pharmaceutical Production.     

“Maintaining and running a large portfolio is one of Orion’s strengths: we manage diversity well.”  

The world’s northernmost pharmaceutical ingredient plant  

Fermion, which is wholly owned by Orion, is responsible for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Finland. About two thirds of Fermion’s output is used to make Orion’s own medicines and the rest is sold to other pharmaceutical companies around the world.    

Fermion operates two plants with a very clear division of work:  

• The plant in Hanko focuses on manufacturing active ingredients that are needed in large volumes.  
• The Oulu plant – the world’s northernmost pharmaceutical ingredient plant – produces APIs that have a lower volume requirement.      

For example, darolutamide, the API in the prostate cancer drug, is produced in Hanko. The medicine itself, which serves prostate cancer patients around the world, is also produced in Hanko, at Orion’s plant. All of Orion’s veterinary sedatives are manufactured in Oulu. 
  
In total, Fermion makes around thirty APIs and is a major API manufacturer in the Nordic countries.    
“We are a very large producer of certain individual products, even on a global scale,” says Arto Toivonen, Fermion’s Managing Director.

Medicines close to home, when needed 

Medicines made close by are in the best interest of patients – whether it is an everyday pill or a critical cancer drug.   

As a Nordic pharmaceutical manufacturer, Orion plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of supply not only in Finland but across Europe. This is particularly important because, for cost reasons, a growing portion of the European pharmaceutical industry, especially for generic medicines, is located in Asia.

“When you put your trust in long supply chains, you are to an extent at the mercy of others. The closer manufacturing is to the market, the faster it can react,” says Keskinen.    

The coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of Orion’s pharmaceutical production for Europeans. As demand grew dramatically, Orion was able to supply critical medicines in exceptionally large quantities across Europe.  

Flexibility is security 

In times of crisis, having your own production facilities becomes even more important, and they may be needed for something new.   

“We can modify our operations quite quickly and with reasonable measures. During the pandemic, for example, we were able to start efficient production of a much-needed API and a pharmaceutical product very quickly to meet demand. In exceptional circumstances, it matters that the facilities are there and that we have solid expertise in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and active ingredients,” says Toivonen.