Celesio Acquires Majority Stake in Number One Brazilian Pharmaceutical Wholesaler Panpharma

STUTTGART, Germany -

- Celesio CEO Dr Fritz Oesterle: No Pharmacy Chain Planned in Brazil

The supervisory board of Celesio AG has today approved the majority holding of 50.1 per cent in pharmaceutical wholesaler Panpharma. This step into one of the most attractive and strongest-growing pharmaceutical markets world-wide is part of Celesio’s growth strategy. Celesio doesn’t plan to setup a pharmacy chain in Brazil.

Celesio spent about two years thoroughly analysing the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, the political environment and the corporate landscape. “We are happy to have found in the Panarello family and the Panpharma Corporation the perfect partner in Brazil. Together we now want to continue the successful development in Brazil. Panpharma’s capital increase is an essential prerequisite to do so,” Oesterle continued. He also stated that Celesio is not planning to setup a pharmacy chain in Brazil. “If we want to operate pharmacies then we would have bought a pharmacy chain”, added the Celesio CEO, “but we don’t want to run a retail business in Brazil. Our goal is to improve the service levels to Panpharmas clients, the pharmacies”.

The optimum market conditions, excellently trained and highly motivated employees at Panpharma as well as Celesio’s international wholesale experience form an excellent base for the growth course of the company. Alexandre Panarello, CEO of Panpharma, commented: “We are looking forward to the long-term strategic partnership and cooperation with Celesio.”

About Celesio Group:

Celesio is a leading international company which covers the spectrum of pharmaceutical trade and pharmaceutical-related services. The group is active in 14 countries and employs around 38,000 people in its three divisions Patient and Consumer Solutions, Pharmacy Solutions and Manufacturer Solutions. Over 2,300 of Celesio’s own pharmacies, as part of Patient and Consumer Solutions, serve over 550,000 customers in seven countries every day. In its wholesale activities, which are part of Pharmacy Solutions, around 120 wholesale branches deliver to over 35,000 pharmacies in twelve European countries - day in, day out. In the Manufacturer Solutions division, Celesio offers pharmaceutical manufacturers logistics and distribution solutions and supports them in sales and marketing.

Press contact:

Rainer Berghausen, Celesio AG, +49-(0)711-5001-549

media@celesio.com

Source: Celesio AG

Press contact: Rainer Berghausen, Celesio AG, +49-(0)711-5001-549, media at celesio.com