IRELAND MAY BE a small country, but we’re home to a huge range of global companies across pharmaceuticals, tech, manufacturing and more.
For example, we’re the EU’s largest net exporter of pharmaceutical products, with an industry that manufactures five of the world’s top 20 medicines, according to the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association.
The pharma industry alone employs over 24,500 people, a number that looks set to rise with more and more students choosing pharmaceutical science courses at third level.
As well as providing all that employment, the presence of these multi-nationals means Ireland has a very varied list of exports indeed, with a range of products that goes far beyond the classic ‘Irish’ goods like beef and Guinness.
From painkillers to lifesaving medical products to tasty snacks, Ireland is the source of many everyday items.
But how many of the below really are made right here in Ireland?
Ireland is home to nine of the ten biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Ready to make your mark in a thriving global sector? Check out the range of pharmaceutical science courses on offer from Griffith College and Innopharma.
By the way, here are the results that would have gotten you top marks…
1. Botox – true. A huge 80% of the world’s supply is made at Allergan in Westport.
2. Panadol – true. The tablets are made at GlaxoSmithKline’s Dungarvan plant.
3. Crayola crayons – false. Crayola LLC is based in Pennsylvania and has manufacturing plants across the USA.
4. Heart stents – true. An impressive 80 per cent of global stent production is carried out in Ireland, according to Enterprise Ireland.
5. Viagra – true. The active ingredient for Viagra is produced by Pfizer Ireland.
6. The DrägerDrugTest5000 – false. The device is made by Dräger’s safety devices branch in Lubeck, Germany
7. Enbrel, a drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis – true. This is produced by Pfizer in Ireland.
8. Tesla cars – false. Teslas are made and assembled in the USA.
9. Lipitor – true. Another one produced by Pfizer Ireland.
10. Durex condoms – false. All production for Durex takes place in China, India and Thailand.
11. Sensodyne – true. This is another globally marketed product made by GlaxoSmithKline in Ireland.
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