Each year, the veterinary pharmaceutical industry invests in new innovations in animal health. Scientists have developed numerous medicines that have resulted in dramatic improvements in the prevention and treatment of animal health.
Animal medicines are also an important link in the food safety chain and crucial while talking about providing a healthier food supply. The responsibilities have a direct effect on the human’s safety for that reason their main objective is to protect and raise the health status and condition of animals, in particular food-producing animals, in accordance with the appropriate health standards and international obligations of European Union. How it looks like in Romania? In this article, Eng. Constantin Chiurciu talks about Romanian leader on home market of biological and veterinary products.
From one simple vaccine to 260 products’ portfolio
Romvac Company SA was created in 1974 as a part of Avian Production Central to supply with vaccines the avian production on Romanian market and it existed as the Laboratory of Avian Tumoral Viruses (LATV). LATV was producing vaccine against Marek disease- a highly contagious viral neoplastic disease in chickens. The first steps to bring this laboratory into existence, were taken by Dr. Pătraşcu I.V., who was sustained in his efforts by several international specialists in the field, such as the famous Professor Peter Biggs. Later on, in 1981, LATV became Center for Research and Biological Products for Fowls and Small Animals (CRBPFSA) which produced until 1990, over 30 biological products, thus covering the entire market demand on vaccines for the great Romanian avian farms, as well as some vaccines for foxes, rabbits and dogs. „Endowed with two laboratories for research and production, two pavilions for experiments on animals, two SPF farms with 8 pavilions equipped with special insulators and technological annexes, this medical center had the most modern endowment, for which, until 1985, it was considered to be the greatest achievement in the field around the world. Besides that, there is the international team that helped to its bringing into existance: Honoured Professor Stive Hitchner, Honoured Professor Julius Fabricant and Honoured Professor R. Colle Genetist; Hougton Poultry Research Station, Hougton, Huntington, England and Cornell Ithaca University, New York, USA.”- Eng. Constantin Chiurciu explains. Nowadays Romvac Company works as a private commercial shares company with a social capital of more than 1 000 000 Euro. Romvac Co SA produces a wide range of medicinal products prepared in all forms: vaccines, revealing substances, kits for diagnosis, tablets, powders, ointments and liquid-solutions for birds and animals. Currently, the production of drugs is 75-80% of Romvac’s yearly business. With over 260 products in its portfolio the company is the leader on home market of biological and veterinary products.
Challenging new fields with advanced technology
With a strong focus on innovative technologies and service companies can provide Customers with the most efficient, reliable and profitable solutions. For that reason, each year Romvac spends more than 30% from its net profit for these. Thus, the company is able to develop its production according to the requirements in the field and may adapt its manufacturing closely connected to the market evolution and demands. „This is one of the main reasons for Romvac achievements, that concluded the first nine months of 2012 with an yearly business of 8 000 000 Euro, with 17,1% more compared to the same period in 2011. Furthermore, the net profit increase is of 42%, reaching 1 200 000 Euro within the analysed period, compared to 800 000 Euro, in the first three quarters of 2011.”- points Eng. Constantin Chiurciu. Moreover the strategy of ROMVAC keeps on developing on our own research made by our specialists in cooperation with university staff from the Romanian veterinary medicine universities. The research is supported by an important financial effort, as more than 10% of ROMVAC business profit is allocated to this purpose. Following this target, every year our company diversifies its production of biologicals and drugs for veterinary use. The European standards require the replacement of forbidden raw materials with new concordant ones with residues in food that can be measured and that are not dangerous to humans. “Production of drugs is the most dynamic sector with a share of over 70% of our own production. It consists of a well balanced range of products made through its own research, also covering all Romanian market requirements at the best quality-price report”, points out D. Sc. Viorica Chiurciu, Drug Production Manager. The biological production has been permanently diversified according to the new market requirements, where the zootechnical centers have been replaced with middle and small farms. Furthermore, these changes must also meet the UE standards concerning this matter. In 2008, ROMVAC Company has obtained the certification of Integrated Management System, that includes:
- The ISO 9001 certificate, Scientific Director and RMIS Petru Ştiube
- The certification of Environment Management System, ISO 14001
- The certification of the Health and Working Security System, OHSAS 18001:2004.
This Integrated Management System is the highest certification which guarantees both in Romania and any other country in the world, ROMVAC’s reputation regarding its ability of producing and marketing best quality products with concern to the environment and to ensuring safe and proper working condition for all personnel. „ISO 9001 Certification is compulsory, as nobody can attend auctions organised by the Sanitary-Veterinary and Animal Health Directions. The other two certifications, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2004 have been voluntary obtained, just by our desire to demonstrate the quality of the company’s products and services, further more to support the eco-policy.”- emphasizes Eng. Constantin Chiurciu. Owing to an annual financial effort of more than 800 000 Euro, company improved the production technology, the procedures of preparation and control, so that in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012 Romvac Co. SA was confirmed again by the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority with GMP certificate, first obtained in December 2004. “In recognition of merit, as happens every year, the company was rewarded in 2012, the “Award for Business Excellence” and “1st place in Ilfov County” by the Ilfov Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”- pointed out Eng. Constantin Chiurciu.
The role of exports
An important role was also played by exports, which reached this year to 10% of the total production. The company exports a few years in countries such as Lithuania, Nigeria, Albania, Kosovo, Malta, Spain, Macedonia, Georgia. Recently, Romvac products started to go to Iraq, Ireland and Italy. Romvac strategy will focus further on export and finding new markets. In parallel, the company will invest in innovation and new products, both for domestic as well as external. The company estimates this year a turnover of 10 000 000 Euro. „Due to our own distribution network (38 county storehouses), Romvac is a representative company in the veterinary medicine field, providing the market with both its own products, as well as a range of 1200 of medicines and zootechnical products manufactured by international companies.”- highlights Eng. Constantin Chiurciu. In the first nine months of 2012, exports increased by 40%. In this context, Romvac managed to register several drugs in different regions. Moreover, the partnerships have been proposed by some European companies that want to produce drugs in Romvac factory. In addition to the projects announced, Romvac will continue to invest in machines, moving from static cultures on small vessels to cultures in continuous flow, more productive. “This investment is justified by the growing demand for export vaccines,” says Eng. Constantin Chiurciu.
