I agree with you, the quality of Prym stuff isn't what it used to be.
Clover are probably the best, readily available, brand at the moment. They are Japanese made and their black and gold hand sewing needls are excellent, really smooth and sharp.
The other Japanese brand that gets good reviews for its pins and needles is Tulip but I was disappointed with the needles I bought, dull steel colour and nowhere near as smooth as the Clover needles. I've also managed to break the eye of two of them, and I wasn't stitching anything particulary tough.