Oriola starting distribution for UCB Pharma, Cederroth, Smith&Nephew and AstraTech

 | Source: Orion Oyj Orion Oyj

Three pharmaceutical companies, UCB Pharma, Cederroth and Smith & Nephew, shifted the distribution of their products in Finland to Oriola as of the start of 2003.  In June 2003, Oriola will start distributing the products of AstraTech which specialises in contrast media and enhancing agents used in diagnostic imaging. According to the Finnish pharmaceutical wholesale statistics for 2002, the combined volume of the four new principals came to about EUR 22 million corresponding to 1.5% of the total Finnish pharmaceutical market.
 
The annual sales of UCB Pharma in Finland are around EUR 14 million, the largest product being Zyrtec (cetirizine), an antihistamine. Cederroth's products are registered herbal medicinal preparations, most of which are marketed under the name Pharbio. The Finnish sales of Smith & Nephew are around 0.6 million, and those of AstraTech about EUR 1 million.
 
Oriola, which is a business division of the Orion Group, is a pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor and a marketer of healthcare products covering the sector comprehensively. Oriola's invoicing in 2002 came to around EUR 700 million and its market share of pharmaceutical distribution in Finland is about 37%.
 
 
 
Contact person:
 
Seppo Morri, President, Oriola Oy, GSM +358 50 429 2211, phone  +358 10 429 2211,