The collapse of the property market has left the economy with a huge hole that will be difficult to fill. One of the few sectors that offers hope of growth is the pharmaceutical industry, with senior executives convinced that genuine opportunities remain for Ireland Inc.

Lilliputs keep cropping up here and there, but can Gulliver be ignored?

Many shifting focus to emerging economies in struggle to stay afloat

Major Japanese pharmaceutical makers are expediting projects to construct plants and expand sales channels in emerging economies, such as China and India.

French drug manufacturing giant Sanofi-Aventis is stepping up its presence in the nonprescription drug market in the United States and Europe.