Drug producer Zentiva sees lower turnover amid declining demand

Zentiva, the biggest generic drug producer in Romania in terms of units sold, recorded a turnover of RON 272 million (EUR 56 mln) in the first half of this year, 3% lower than in the same period of 2019.

The company’s operating profit was RON 45 million (EUR 9.35 mln) in the same period.

The company, which has a factory in Bucharest, increased its production amid higher demand for drugs used in treating COVID-19 infections, such as paracetamol and sodium metamizole. During the state of emergency, the company also received the approval to make disinfectants based on alcohol. However, its financial results were negatively impacted by the declining demand for other drugs.

“Due to the medical crisis, the first half of the year brought a difficult dynamic for the medical and pharmaceutical sector, both for patients and for doctors and local producers. Although there was a peak in demand in March for drugs, especially for those used to treat Sars-cov-2 infections, we see a decline in drug use in the first half of the year. It is a worrying situation, because it indicates the discontinuation of chronic treatments and the reduction of visits to the doctor,” said Simona Cocos, general manager of Zentiva.

“We can expect dramatic consequences for patients in the next period, so it is absolutely necessary that access to medical consultations and services, especially for chronic patients, be ensured by appropriate solutions, regardless of the pandemic’s evolution,” she added.

Zentiva SA is part of Czech group Zentiva, one of the biggest generic drug producers in Europe.

(Photo source: the company)