“We have free capacity and we intend to fill it with export products,” said Margareta Tanase, head of industrial operations with Zentiva Romania, which is owned by France’s Sanofi.
The producer, which has been in business in Romania for fifty years, makes about 48 million packs a year, and the level is set to increase by 50% over the next five years, as a result of about EUR9 million investments.
Exports, which accounted for a very small share of the total a year ago, now account for 10% in value and 8% in volume. Zentiva exports 19 products used to treat heart, digestive and urinary system problems, as well as painkillers and anti-infectious drugs to 13 European countries such as Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy and Portugal.
It plans to have exports account for up to 50% of the local production in the next five years. The company officials also say that exports will reach at least 27 countries by 2016, as it is currently looking into expansion to South Africa and Asia.
With drugs such as Algocalmin, Distonocalm or Extraveral in its portfolio, Zentiva’s production used to focus on the local market a few years ago, where it its one of the top competitors by sales. In March 2009, Sanofi acquired Czech Zentiva group and the plant in Bucharest became one of the 113 facilities the French owner uses for manufacturing operations.
The management decided the plant in Bucharest was of strategic importance for the region and gradually transferred production of drugs sold to customers outside Romania only.
Zentiva inaugurated a new pharmaceutical pellet (used for the slow release of drugs into the body) facility and a lab for control and release of a specific type of products (betalactam antibiotics) made outside the European Union.
Sanofi (together with Zentiva) is the largest pharmaceutical company on the local market and says growth this year stands at about 5%. Its portfolio includes more than 400 products, with plans to launch 20 more. The company says its market share is 8.4%.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)