Roche Romania eyes 15 percent growth in business

The growth is similar to that on the Romanian pharmaceutical market and significantly higher than Roche Romania’s increase in business in 2007, of 6 percent.

“The 2007 growth was below market average because prices for cancer and post-transplant drugs dropped 5 percent. Another reason was the late start of the [Health] Ministry’s cancer program, launched only in April,” said Roche Romania’s General Manager, Dan Zamonea. The Ministry is carrying out several national health programs, including for cancer, heart disease and diabetes, for which all drugs are purchased by the state from pharmaceutical companies.

Furthermore, Zamonea added, that the most dynamic growth on the market was registered for generic and non-prescription drugs, while Roche only produces original prescription drugs.

The company yesterday launched its Avastin drug for kidney cancer. The product was previously registered locally for three other types of cancer.
Avastin is seen as a revolutionary international cancer drug. “In only two years after it was launched, Avastin ranks third in the global sales of La Roche. In Romania, it ranks 8th-9th,” Zamonea said. He added Avastin sales in Romania amounted to €2 mln in 2007 and are expected total €5 mln in 2008.