A&D Pharma business up 32 percent

"Our growth exceeds that of the pharma market and we expect this trend to continue," according to A&D Pharma's CEO, Dragos Dinu.

The group’s retail chain, the Sensiblu pharmacy network, had a higher increase than the Mediplus distribution network, at 39 percent, or €87.4 mln in turnover. The chain expanded to 319 units, from 309 units at the end of 2006. The new locations were opened mainly in malls and supermarkets. "There is a new trend: clients are starting to switch from street pharmacies to shopping center pharmacies," Sensiblu's Marketing Manager, Andreea Ionescu, told Business Standard.

Mediplus posted a 30 percent rise in turnover year-on-year, up to €256.7 mln. It claims a 21 percent share of the pharma distribution market, one percent higher year-on-year, according to data from market research company Cegedim. Company representatives say that the rise in market share is due to an improved marketing system, infrastructure, and the product portfolio.

A&D Pharma entered the Republic of Moldova last year and is interested in regional expansion, targeting five new markets in five years. The company is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

Its main competitors are Fildas, Farmexim, Farmexpert and Relad, on the distribution segment, and HelpNet, Catena and City Pharma, on the retail segment.