An international pharmaceutical company, Stirling, will be opening a factory in Hal Far in the coming months.

The company is working with the University of Malta's Pharmacy Department to take on new graduates in its factory, Professor Anthony Serracino Inglott said. He said that Stirling Malta, as the new factory will be called, is waiting for the Mepa go-ahead to set up its facilities to produce active ingredients for pharmaceuticals.

"They are set to come... they have even said they plan to enlarge their facilities if they have enough scientists for research work," Prof. Serracino Inglott said during a press conference held to launch the seventh World Meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology.

The conference will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre between Monday and Thursday.

University Rector Juanito Camilleri said that this conference was important for Malta's visibility in this important industry since it would bring together key players from about 50 countries. The 1,300 delegates participating in the conference will include representatives from large companies, academics and policy makers.

Prof. Camilleri stressed the importance of the interplay between the commercial and social interests in the pharmaceutical industry.

"This industry looks into solutions and cures to illnesses. It is important that these solutions are affordable and accessible to people. That is why it is important that governments and private companies work together," he said.

The head of the University Pharmacy Department, Lilian Azzopard, said the university was working very closely with the industry and was currently working on a project with Starpharma, that specialised in the development and manufacture of modified release solid oral preparations.

Health Minister Joe Cassar spoke about the important and evolving role of pharmacists. He said this year a call for applications had been issued to fifth-year pharmacy students to work with the public service once they graduate.