Novartis grows 5% in Brazil in 2008
Gazeta Mercantil 01/29/2009
Novartis grew 5% in Brazil in 2008, closing the year with net sales of R$ 1.81 billion (US$ 969 million). The innovative medicines continue standing out, corresponding to 77% of the total of the company in the Country. The division grew 7% over 2007, reaching a relevant participation in the main markets in which it works (hypertension, 12.7%; oral anti-diabetics, 13.8%; traditional anti-inflammatory medicines, 11.4%; and Alzheimer, 48.6%). Prominence was given to cancer medicines, which had 16% of increase in sales in relation to the previous year. With the good performance of the Pharma division, Novartis Brasil continues in the leadership of the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, with 5.81% of participation, according to the IMS Health, an institute which audits the sector. On its turn, Sandoz division, of generic medicines, had an increase of 23% in sales, while Consumer Health had a fall of 27% due to the impact caused by the sale, in 2007, of the Gerber and Medical Nutrition units. Vaccines and Diagnoses, the most recent division of the company, is not yet accounted for in the financial balance. In that area, the company informs that it will build a vaccine factory in Pernambuco. It will be the first vaccine unit of Novartis in Latin America, and it reaffirms the relevance of the Country in the global strategy of the company.