Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council hosted an Awards ceremony on Monday 3rd July to recognise the contribution that local companies make towards pharmaceuticals and health on the 75th Anniversary of the National Health Service.

The ceremony was hosted at PCI Pharma on Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate, Tredegar, the largest employer of the sector in Blaenau Gwent. Awards were presented to 12 companies many of who are at the cutting edge of research and development. The recipients were:

Apex Additive Technologies Ltd presented in recognition of their expertise in additive manufacturing of metallic components.
BioExtractions (Wales) Ltd presented in recognition of excellence in the extraction of key compounds and support of the pharmaceutical industry.
Copner Biotech presented in recognition of their production of next generation 3D computer modelling and biofabrication.
EuroCaps presented in recognition of their expertise in the science of making softgels.
Freudenberg Performance Materials presented in recognition of the manufacturing and development of materials to serve the healthcare industry.
Frontier Medical Group presented in recognition of their contribution to pressure area care.
Gwentec for the provision of calibration and automation services to Pharmaceutical and Pharma related companies.
Neem Biotech for their research and development of pharmaceutical biotech in combatting antibacterial resistance.
PCI presented in recognition of excellence in Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing.
PNR Pharma for their contribution to certification of clinical trials.
Elite Clothing Solutions presented in recognition of their supply of uniforms to the NHS.
Rescue & Medical for the design and manufacture of bespoke rescue equipment.

All of the recipients were presented with reproductions of Nathan Wyburn’s portrait of Aneurin Bevan in the medium of placebos.

Cllr John Morgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said,
‘We will always be proud that the National Health Service all started here in Blaenau Gwent. The range of manufacturers, research and services that contribute to the pharmaceutical and health sectors and ultimately to the National Health Service that we have here in Blaenau Gwent is incredible. I have learned through visits to these wonderful companies, the phenomenal work that goes on in our industrial units, from developing new drugs to 3D modelling and printing that contributes so much to our well being.’

Rebecca Couts of PCI Pharma welcomed guests to their site adding,
PCI is honoured to receive this award, and to host this event in honour of Blaenau Gwent’s contribution to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. PCI, formerly Penn Pharma, has operated from this site for over 30 years, manufacturing a wide array of medicines including tablets, capsules, liquids and highly potent therapies for a range of complex diseases.

We currently employ over 500 staff from the local areas, who work every day to bring life-changing medicines to patients around the globe, and our people are the reason we continue to succeed. It’s an exciting time for PCI, as we continue to expand globally and invest in our people, our facilities and our capabilities. We are always seeking out the next generation of talented employees to help us grow our business and serve the global pharmaceutical market, and look forward to what the future may bring.’

In closing, ‘Cllr Helen Cunningham, Deputy Leader of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said,
‘We are enormously proud of the achievements of our local businesses. They provide welcome employment opportunities within our community, so that our young people can work locally without the need to move away. Our Economic Development team are here to help them at every stage from business startup to growth and development. We know our new Business Development Grant and Social Enterprise Grant alongside our Business Start Up and Kick Start Plus grants will help local business grow and develop and attract new entrepreneurs to set up here in Blaenau Gwent.

I hope that everyone here celebrating the 75th anniversary of our NHS, will use this opportunity to network, share ideas, work out how you can help each other and meet up more often to enhance and grow the cluster.’

Vaughn Gethin MS, Minister for the Economy added,
‘In the week we celebrate 75 years of our precious NHS, it’s great to see some of Blaenau Gwent’s leading life sciences being recognised for the significant contribution they make.

‘The Welsh NHS is as valued today as it was in 1946. Today, it is supported by a thriving healthcare and pharmacy sector in Wales, which has grown around it.

‘From R&D, to manufacturing pharmaceuticals and vital equipment, to clinical trials – the life sciences sector in Blaenau Gwent, the birthplace of the NHS, plays a vital role in supporting the lives and wellbeing of people in Wales and across the world.

‘As part of our vision for a stronger, fairer and greener Wales, the Welsh Government is committed to supporting this sector to grow and thrive even further. Through our Tech Valleys Programme, we’re partnering with industry to build the next generation of life sciences professionals in Blaenau Gwent to work in the jobs of the future.

‘Congratulations to the award winners, and a very happy 75th birthday to our NHS.’