The Pharmaceutical industry employs 35,000 people in Ireland directly as of today.
In 1954 Glaxo pharmaceuticals opened a plant in Grand Canal Street Dublin.
Glaxo then went on to become part of the juggernaut that is Glaxo Smith Klein.
Pat McCarthy, author of A History of the Irish Pharmaceutical Industry joined The Last Word on Business to talk about his book and the story behind pharmaceuticals in Ireland.
Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.