Starting with November 24, 2010 Ropharma Brasov (RPH) shares are traded on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) main market, Tier I. Previously, Ropharma shares were listed on the OTC market RASDAQ under the ticker IAFR. Ropharma is a practically vertically integrated Romanian pharmaceutical player. The company, which is the ninth largest player on the wholesale market according to pharma statistics provider Cegedim, owns a 96-unit retail chain of pharmacies (roughly 1.5% of the total number of pharmacies in Romania) and a production facility of dietary supplements. A second production facility is located in Iasi County, but is currently not operational due modernizing and upgrading works. According to data released by Ropharma, in 1H of 2010 it held a market share of 3.75% of the wholesale market and a 2.85% of the retail market
Ropharma handles the distribution business through five warehouses which allow a 3/4 nation-wide coverage (practically the entire northern and eastern parts of Romania). The retail chain is spread throughout seven counties that make for a 1/4 nation wide exposure. The wholesale portfolio is diversified and comprised of 11,000 products (Rx, OTC, supplements and cosmetics). In early 2009 Ropharma merged with three local pharmaceuticals retailers and expanded its retail chain to 94 units. After the acquisition, the breakdown between retail and wholesale tilted towards retail (roughly 70% of sales in 2009), while previously the balance was slightly tilted towards wholesale (53% of sales in 2008).
RPH is the 100% owner of Aesculap Prod SRL, a producer of dietary supplements specialized on supplements extracted from milk. The company has local patents for several dietary supplements based on lactoferrin (also know as lactotransferrin, which is a multifunctional protein, component of the immune body system that can be purified from milk). Sales of own production accounted for roughly 2% of 2009 revenues. Ropharma expects sales of own production to double yoy in 2010 to EUR 2 mn and to reach EUR 10 mn by 2014 on a wider portfolio of products, improved marketing activities and rising brand awareness. bne.
Source: www.balkans.com