Richter also markets as part of its portfolio original products and continues to carry out intensive research activities on diseases of the central nervous system. It is management’s opinion that it is important for the longer term success of the Group that it continues to research own developed compounds.

Gedeon Richter is a regional mid-sized pharma company with a vertically integrated structure. This is based on a good market position with geographic and therapeutic niches supported by continuous enhancement of supply of specialties partly via licensing agreements. Licensing-in is becoming an increasingly important route for the Group to renew its product portfolio. This is accomplished partly as an expansion of our existing generic product line and partly via providing high added value products either in the field of female healthcare or with original features.

Richter’s management continues to endeavour to provide greater focus and improved shape to the product portfolio. With this background it is understandable that most of the top ten products in 2008 originate from the three largest therapeutic categories. Gynaecological, cardiovascular and central nervous system products together generated 67 percent of total pharmaceutical sales.  Central nervous system related drugs contributed altogether 13 percent of total pharmaceutical sales.

After a slight contraction in 2007, cardiovascular drugs again produced an above average sales growth in 2008, accounting for 23 percent of total pharmaceutical sales. 

Gastrointestinal products represented 5 percent of total pharmaceutical sales.

Muscle relaxant drugs amounted to 5 percent of the total pharmaceutical revenue of the Group in 2008, following a substantial year on year increase.

The sales of antifungal products declined in 2008.

In line with the Group’s strategy the product portfolio has been successfully enhanced. This focus continues through withdrawing low volume and low margin products and introducing new products with improved profit potential. Progress by the Group in launching new products continued in 2008.