On August 7, during a regional visit, Minister of Welfare Reinis Uzulnieks visited one of the largest companies and employers in Olaine Municipality – the Latvian pharmaceutical manufacturer AS “Olpha.” During the meeting with the company’s management, they discussed current issues such as labor shortages, attracting new specialists to the regions, and the long-term development of the pharmaceutical industry.
Special attention was given to possible solutions for motivating young people to choose pharmaceutical studies and pursue professional growth outside the capital. The discussion also addressed the need to ensure the availability of chemistry and pharmaceutical specialists, taking into account that a large share of current professionals in the labor market are approaching retirement age and that demand for these specialists significantly exceeds supply.
At the end of the visit, the Minister toured the company’s production facilities and learned about Olpha’s high value-added pharmaceutical products, which are exported to dozens of countries and make a significant contribution to Latvia’s national economy.
