Interview with Mar Fabregas, Head of Iberia and Managing Director of STADA Spain

Who is Mar Fabregas?I would say that, first and foremost, Mar is passionate about caring for people's health. Due to my family business, from a very young age I have been able to experience the world of pharmacy and medicine at close quarters, and this has left an indelible mark on me. I am very proud to be a pharmacist, I think it is a wonderful profession, but during all these years I have also discovered my fascination for everything to do with management. So I think all of that has influenced who Mar is today. How does your 'adventure' at STADA begin?My professional adventure in STADA began in 2005, joining STADA Spain in the position of Business Development Director, acquiring also global responsibilities in this area, and later, in 2010, as Operations Director. All this allowed me to have a deep and detailed knowledge of the organisation and the business. It was in 2013 that I took on the major responsibility of General Management. All this has given me the opportunity to experience first-hand the extraordinary transformation that the company has undergone, from being a pure player specialising in generic medicines, to now having a consolidated and competitive portfolio in the three pillars of Generics, with more than 600 presentations marketed in Spain, Consumer Health, with well-known brands such as Trofolastín, Venoruton, Mitosyl and Lactoflora, and Specialty, with biosimilars and speciality medicines in areas such as Parkinson's and, soon, in rare diseases. You have recently been appointed Head of Iberia, what does this mean for you?For me it means a great responsibility and commitment to the teams in Spain and Portugal. I am fortunate to have the support of extraordinary leadership teams in both organisations (Spain and Portugal) and this is a great asset. It is a challenge that I take on with great enthusiasm and ambition to drive the company's growth journey in Iberia. Moreover, you complement this professional stage with your presidency of AESEG. Can you explain to us a little more about your role as president?AESEG, as the umbrella organisation for generic drug companies in Spain, which brings together the vast majority of the industry, plays a key role in the pharmaceutical sector as an interlocutor with the different stakeholders. As president, my role is to support the excellent team of the association, who do a great job promoting and defending the interests of the sector. How does STADA handle regulatory challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, in relation to new drug approvals and regulatory changes?Regulatory issues are paramount in an industry such as pharmaceuticals. Effectively managing these challenges is key to success. At STADA, we maintain an agile approach to respond to regulatory changes and ensure full regulatory compliance for healthcare professionals and patients. What do you see as the area for improvement in the Spanish generic drug industry?Over the last 25 years, generic medicines have proven to be an instrument of quality, accessibility and competitiveness for the healthcare system, providing sustainability and stability. However, in recent years, their use has clearly stagnated, placing Spain, a country with one of the largest generic industries, at the bottom of Europe. This is a confusing and difficult to understand situation that requires urgent measures from the administrations to promote its use for the benefit of citizens and the health system. How important is Spain for Stada?Spain is indeed a very relevant market for STADA. With a turnover in 2022 of 187 million euros and a growth of +14%, STADA Spain contributes to the growth of the group, positioning itself as one of the group's leading subsidiaries in terms of turnover. In an interview published by El Economista several months ago you confessed that Stada was interested in new acquisitions in Consumer Health, can you explain how they have finally turned out or if you are still working on it?The STADA Group's growth strategy incorporates a very clear vision in terms of acquisitions and strategic alliances, and in this line, we evaluate opportunities as they arise. What is STADA's approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility?For STADA, responding to sustainability and ESG challenges in line with the purpose of caring for people's health as a trusted partner is a key issue. Therefore, the company joined in 2021 as a member of the United Nations Global Compact with the aim of supporting global sustainability through the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, developing an ambitious strategy in terms of emissions reduction, waste, responsible consumption, as well as diversity, gender equality and safety at work. Today, STADA is among the 6% most sustainable pharmaceutical companies according to Sustainalitycs, a leading organisation for environmental, social and governance ratings. In 2023, STADA became the first pharmaceutical company in Spain to join the Lean & Green programme, one of the main European initiatives to promote decarbonisation strategies in logistics processes, acquiring the commitment to reduce carbon emissions in this area by 20% and thus coming closer to meeting the global objectives defined by the company, which include a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. How does STADA expect to close in 2023?2023 was, once again, a year of growth both in terms of revenue, capturing value from our Consumer Health, Generics and Specialty levers, and also in terms of team. In this regard, we are pleased to note the incorporation of talent that the company is experiencing globally and specifically in Spain in multiple areas. We expect to close the year with significant growth in line with our estimates, which gives us the confidence to continue implementing our strategic plan. What are STADA's future plans for 2024 and beyond?In our aim to care for people's health as a trusted partner, STADA's future lies in consolidating the three business pillars, Generics, Consumer Health and Specialty, effectively managing the portfolio and being very attentive to market opportunities in terms of new acquisitions or strategic alliances. Our objectives are certainly ambitious, but we have a unique growth culture and the talent of a great team of people committed to healthcare.

Interview with Mar Fabregas, Head of Iberia and Managing Director of STADA Spain

Mar Fabregas has recently been appointed to a new position of responsibility

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