1 A Pharma GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · München
1 A Pharma GmbH is a pharmaceutical company based in München, Germany.
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1 A Pharma GmbH Address & Contact
1 A Pharma GmbH at a Glance
1 A Pharma GmbH is a German generic pharmaceutical company headquartered in Munich (Bavaria) and a subsidiary of Sandoz GmbH, which belongs to the Sandoz Group (formerly the Novartis generics division). Sandoz was publicly listed as an independent company in 2023 and spun off from Novartis AG. 1 A Pharma distributes a wide portfolio of drug-equivalent medications under the brand name "1 A Pharma" through pharmacies in Germany. The company stands for affordable, quality-controlled generics and is widely available in German pharmacies. As part of the Sandoz network, 1 A Pharma benefits from international development and production expertise.
Field of Activity & Products
1 A Pharma offers a comprehensive range of generics for all common therapeutic areas: cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, heart failure), respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD), diabetes, anti-infectives, analgesics, neurology, gastroenterology, and more. The products are marketed under the uniform "1 A Pharma" prefix (e.g., Metformin 1 A Pharma, Ibuprofen 1 A Pharma) and are characterized by low prices with equivalent quality compared to the original preparations. 1 A Pharma is firmly established in the German pharmacy discount contract system of the statutory health insurance (GKV), ensuring a high prescription rate.
In addition, 1 A Pharma has recently expanded its product portfolio to include innovative therapies and new active ingredients tailored to specific patient needs. This includes, among other things, modern antibiotics and biologics, which are increasingly gaining importance. The company is also committed to the development of drugs for rare diseases, an area that can prove crucial for patients.
1 A Pharma places great emphasis on sustainable production processes and takes responsibility for environmental and resource conservation. The company is involved in various initiatives and projects aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the pharmaceutical industry while offering products of the highest quality.
Regulation & Market Position
All products are subject to regulation by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and are manufactured according to the strict requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The close collaboration with other Sandoz brands allows 1 A Pharma access to state-of-the-art production facilities and research institutions, strengthening the company's competitiveness and innovative capacity. The company is a member of the German Generic Association (Pro Generika) and regularly conducts training and informational events to continuously improve the quality and safety of its producers.
In the German market, 1 A Pharma ranks among the top generic providers by volume. The close collaboration with healthcare professionals and pharmacists contributes to strengthening trust in 1 A Pharma's products. Regional pharmacies are actively involved in marketing strategies to highlight the therapeutic benefits of the offered generics and contribute their part to the healthcare of the population.
Through the continuous introduction of new products and adaptation to market needs, 1 A Pharma has established a stable market position and is an important player in the healthcare sector. The use of innovative technologies in manufacturing and quality assurance helps maintain the high standards required for all medications.
More information: Pharmaceutical companies in Bavaria or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about 1 A Pharma GmbH
What does 1 A Pharma GmbH do?
1 A Pharma GmbH is a pharmaceutical company based in München that develops, manufactures or distributes pharmaceutical products. The company is active in the German healthcare market.
Where is 1 A Pharma GmbH located?
1 A Pharma GmbH is headquartered in München, Germany. More information can be found on the company's website.
What products does 1 A Pharma GmbH distribute?
1 A Pharma GmbH is active in the pharmaceutical sector. Detailed information on the products offered and therapeutic areas can be found on the company's website or via the contact details provided.
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About Pharmaceutical Companies
Germany is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical nations, home to more than 1,000 pharmaceutical businesses employing approximately 130,000 people (vfa 2023). Companies operating in this sector develop, manufacture and distribute medicines across the entire value chain, from early-stage research and clinical trials through to market authorisation and commercial distribution. In Germany, every manufacturer of medicinal products must hold a manufacturing authorisation (Herstellungserlaubnis) issued under Section 13 of the AMG (Arzneimittelgesetz, Germany's Medicinal Products Act). Medicines may only be placed on the market after receiving approval from either BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, broadly comparable to the FDA in the United States or the MHRA in the United Kingdom) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) via the centralised procedure. All manufacturing sites are subject to regular GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) inspections carried out by the competent pharmaceutical supervisory authority of the relevant German federal state. The sector covers prescription-only medicines (Rx), non-prescription OTC products, generics, biosimilars and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This directory lists pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketers and licence holders across all German federal states with full contact details, addresses and phone numbers.
Germany's Pharmaceutical Industry
Germany is consistently ranked among the top five pharmaceutical markets worldwide, generating annual revenues exceeding EUR 50 billion and accounting for the largest share of pharmaceutical production in continental Europe. The industry is represented by two major associations: vfa (Verband Forschender Arzneimittelhersteller), which represents research-based companies, and BAH (Bundesverband der Arzneimittel-Hersteller), which represents the broader manufacturer base including OTC and self-medication products. German pharmaceutical companies cover the full spectrum from global innovator corporations and mid-sized specialty manufacturers to generic producers and biotech firms. The country is a world leader in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, biologics manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemistry. Key therapeutic areas of strength include oncology, cardiovascular medicine, immunology, neuroscience and rare diseases. Germany also serves as a significant export hub, with pharmaceutical products among the country's leading export categories. The sector benefits from a highly skilled workforce, world-class university research institutions and a dense network of research hospitals (Universitätsklinika) that facilitate clinical trial activity.
Regulatory Framework: BfArM, EMA and the AMG
The legal foundation for pharmaceutical activity in Germany is the Arzneimittelgesetz (AMG, German Medicinal Products Act), which regulates the authorisation, manufacture, import, distribution, labelling and pharmacovigilance of medicinal products. For English-speaking readers unfamiliar with the German regulatory landscape: BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) is the national competent authority responsible for approving medicines marketed only in Germany, supervising narcotics, and maintaining the pharmacovigilance database. BfArM is a higher federal authority (Bundesoberbehörde) subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit). For medicines approved via the centralised EU procedure, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) grants a single marketing authorisation valid in all 27 EU member states. Germany is also home to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI), a second federal authority that specifically handles biological medicines including vaccines, blood products and gene therapy products. Manufacturing sites are inspected by state-level pharmaceutical supervisory authorities (Landesbehörden) to verify GMP compliance, with findings entered into the EudraGMDP database operated by the EMA.
Regional Pharmaceutical Clusters in Germany
Germany's pharmaceutical industry is geographically distributed across several major regional clusters. The Rhine-Main area around Frankfurt and Leverkusen in North Rhine-Westphalia is home to some of Germany's largest pharmaceutical sites, including facilities belonging to global corporations with long histories in German chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Bavaria (particularly Munich, Penzberg and Marburg) is a second major hub, especially strong in biotechnology and biologics production. Baden-Württemberg, including cities such as Mannheim, Heidelberg and Biberach an der Riss, is home to several significant research-based manufacturers. Hamburg and the northern German region have a cluster of specialty and generic manufacturers. Berlin has a growing biotech scene connected to its research universities and the Charité hospital. Hesse is notable for its proximity to Frankfurt's logistics infrastructure and several major API manufacturers. Smaller but significant clusters exist in Saxony (Leipzig, Dresden) and Lower Saxony, benefiting from proximity to university research centres and historically established chemical industry sites.
Drug Classes and Product Segments
German pharmaceutical companies cover all major drug classes. Prescription (Rx) products account for the largest share of revenue; generics manufacturers such as Stada, ratiopharm (Teva) and Hexal produce chemically equivalent alternatives after patent expiry, significantly reducing costs for the healthcare system. Biologics and biosimilars are gaining ground rapidly: monoclonal antibodies, insulin analogues and recombinant growth factors require specialised biotech manufacturing facilities. OTC products (over-the-counter), i.e. medicines available without a prescription, represent a multi-billion-euro market served by companies such as Bayer Consumer Health, Stada and Klosterfrau. Homeopathic preparations, herbal medicines and dietary supplements form further regulated segments. Digitalisation is increasingly shaping the sector: Digital Health Applications (DiGA) have been reimbursable since 2020, and AI-assisted drug development is significantly shortening time-to-market.
What does a pharmaceutical company do?
Pharmaceutical companies develop, produce and distribute medicines. They cover the entire value chain from research and clinical trials through to market launch and distribution. In Germany, they are supervised by BfArM (the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, comparable to the FDA or MHRA).
How are pharmaceutical companies regulated in Germany?
Pharmaceutical companies in Germany must hold a manufacturing authorisation under Section 13 of the AMG (German Medicinal Products Act). All authorised medicines require approval from either BfArM or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Regular GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) inspections ensure quality standards are maintained.
Where can I find contact details for pharmaceutical companies in Germany?
Industry associations such as vfa (Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies) and BPI (Federal Association of the German Pharmaceutical Industry) maintain member directories. Many companies also list their key contacts directly on their websites. Sanoliste provides a searchable directory of pharmaceutical companies in Germany sorted by federal state and city.
How many pharmaceutical companies are there in Germany?
Germany is home to more than 1,000 pharmaceutical companies employing approximately 130,000 people, according to vfa (the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies) 2023 data. The sector includes multinational corporations, mid-sized specialty firms, generic manufacturers and biotech startups.
What is BfArM and what does it regulate?
BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) is Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. It is a higher federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health and is responsible for approving medicines for the German market, monitoring drug safety (pharmacovigilance), regulating narcotics and controlled substances, and overseeing medical devices in Germany. It is broadly comparable to the FDA in the United States or the MHRA in the United Kingdom.
What is the difference between BfArM approval and EMA approval?
Medicines in Germany can be approved through two main routes. BfArM grants national marketing authorisations valid in Germany, or decentralised and mutual recognition procedure approvals valid in multiple EU states. The EMA (European Medicines Agency) grants centralised marketing authorisations valid in all 27 EU member states simultaneously, typically used for innovative biologic medicines, oncology drugs and products for rare diseases.
What does GMP mean in the context of German pharmaceutical manufacturing?
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. In Germany and the EU, GMP compliance is a legal requirement for all pharmaceutical manufacturers under the AMG and the EU GMP Guidelines (EudraLex Volume 4). GMP covers all aspects of production including premises, equipment, personnel qualification, process validation, documentation and quality control. Compliance is verified by regular inspections from the competent state pharmaceutical supervisory authority.