Repha GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · Hannover
Repha GmbH is a pharmaceutical company based in Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany. The company operates in the German pharmaceutical market and is regulated by the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices).
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Repha GmbH Address & Contact
Repha GmbH Overview
Repha GmbH from Hannover is a pharmaceutical company specializing in plant-based and antiviral medicines in Lower Saxony. The company develops and distributes phytopharmaceuticals for viral infectious diseases and immune stimulation and is particularly known for its products made from elderberry. Since its founding, Repha has made a name for itself in the pharmaceutical industry, especially through the use of high-quality plant raw materials and a strong focus on naturopathic methods.
Services and Products
Repha distributes the well-known antiviral phytopharmaceutical Sambucol (Elderberry) as well as other plant-based medicines for the treatment and prevention of viral respiratory infections. In addition to Sambucol, the company also offers products specifically formulated for children, aiming at gentle immune system strengthening. The portfolio includes various forms of administration, such as syrups, lozenges, and powders that can be easily integrated into daily nutrition.
The company relies on scientifically researched phytonutrients and collaborates with research institutions for clinical studies on its products. Close partnerships with universities and institutes in Germany and beyond ensure that the preparations meet the highest quality standards. The products are available in pharmacies and through mail-order pharmacies, ensuring broad accessibility for consumers.
Regulatory Classification
The products of Repha GmbH are classified as medicinal products and are therefore subject to strict regulatory requirements. They must comply with both the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the German legal regulations for medicinal products. This includes extensive testing regarding the safety, efficacy, and quality of the products before market introduction. Repha is committed to proactively meeting legal requirements and regularly participates in quality audits to maintain high standards.
Location Hannover / Lower Saxony
Hannover, as the state capital of Lower Saxony and the site of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), is an important health location. In addition to the MHH, which is known for its extensive research in the fields of virology and immunology, the region hosts numerous other research institutions and companies from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This networking allows Repha to benefit from regional innovation networks and to promote knowledge exchange.
Furthermore, Lower Saxony plays a central role in German healthcare, enabling Repha to take advantage of regional market conditions, such as a high demand for plant-based medicines. The strategic location and good infrastructural connections also make Hannover an attractive site for medical conferences and knowledge transfer in the pharmaceutical sector.
Special Features and Future Prospects
Repha is considered a pioneer in the field of plant-based medicines and is increasingly engaged in the research and development of innovative formulations. The combination of traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and modern scientific insights is a central feature of the company. Furthermore, ongoing digitization in drug development and marketing is also being embraced by Repha. E-health solutions and telemedicine could play a significant role in the marketing and application of their products in the future.
Another aspect is the growing awareness in society for natural and plant-based remedies. More and more consumers are looking for alternatives to synthetic medicines, significantly increasing the market potential for products like those from Repha. With a clear strategy for market expansion and intensive research activities, Repha looks forward to the future with optimism.
Other pharmaceutical companies: Overview of Pharmaceutical Companies | Pharmaceutical Companies in Lower Saxony | Pharmaceutical Wholesalers
Frequently asked questions about Repha GmbH
What does Repha GmbH do?
Repha GmbH hat sich on natürliche medicines spezialisiert. In manufacturing, research and Weiterentwicklung beschäftigt sie sich with the Behandlung of Atem- and Harnwegerkrankungen and dem ganzen Bereich of Magen-Darm-Verdauung. Natürliche products gibt es also for the Haut, for the Immunsystem and for gesanden Schlaf.
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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.