Where antibiotics are made matters
Antibiotics manufacturing in Europe: Strengthening healthcare resilience
For decades, antibiotics have been one of the foundations of modern healthcare. They help treat infections and help protect vulnerable patients whose immune systems are compromised. Yet ensuring that these medicines are available when and where they are needed is more complex than many people realize.
Antibiotics are often produced through highly specialized manufacturing processes that require significant expertise, strict quality controls, and reliable access to raw materials. At the same time, many antibiotics are established medicines that have been used for years, creating economic pressures that can discourage investment in manufacturing capacity across the industry.
The result is a healthcare challenge that has received growing attention in recent years: medicine shortages. While the causes can vary, disruptions in manufacturing, supply chains, transportation, or sourcing of ingredients can all affect the availability of essential medicines, including antibiotics.
Against this backdrop, healthcare systems, policymakers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly focused on strengthening the resilience of medicine supply chains and maintaining production capabilities close to patients.
Europe plays an important role in this effort. The region remains one of the world's leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, accounting for approximately 54% of production in the research-based pharmaceutical sector. At the same time, Europe represents around one-third of global medicine consumption.
Together, these factors highlight the importance of maintaining a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base that can support reliable access to essential medicines.
Supporting resilient antibiotic supply
Antibiotics remain among the most critical medicines used in healthcare every day. Their availability is essential for hospitals, healthcare professionals, and patients across Europe. As healthcare systems seek to strengthen the resilience of medicine supply chains, the healthcare sector has an important role to play in ensuring reliable access to essential medicines. At Fresenius, this commitment is reflected in the focus on advancing resilient healthcare systems and improving patient care through #FutureFresenius.
Our European manufacturing footprint helps reduce complexity in supply chains, supports responsiveness to healthcare needs, and contributes to secure access to essential medicines.
Manufacturing close to where medicines are needed
European manufacturing plays a central role in serving patients and healthcare professionals. In 2025, 99% of our Pharma & Nutrition products sold in Europe were produced in Europe. This includes ~99% of Pharma products and 97% of Nutrition products by volume.
European manufacturing is not only important for supplying European healthcare systems. It also supports patients around the world. Approximately 72% of Pharma and Nutrition products manufactured by us in Europe remain in Europe, while 28% are supplied to other regions globally (Internal data, 2025 figures).
A strong in-house antibiotic manufacturing network
Manufacturing expertise matters. Antibiotics account for approximately 4% of all products manufactured by us in Europe. Importantly, 92% of these antibiotics are produced within our own manufacturing network.
This high degree of in-house production supports quality control, operational reliability, and supply resilience. It also reflects Fresenius’ long-term investment in manufacturing capabilities that help ensure patients and healthcare professionals can depend on a stable supply of essential medicines.
