Partnership Between Celesio and Panfarma Sealed

VITORIA, Brazil -

- Federal Minister of Economics Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: “Clear Signal for Growth”

- Picture is Available via EPA (European Pressphoto Agency) and can be Downloaded Free of Charge at: www.presseportal.de/pm/51904/celesio_ag/?keygroup=bild

Yesterday, on Sunday 30 August, the partnership between Celesio and Panfarma was sealed in a joint communiqué in the presence of the German and the Brazilian Ministers of Economics, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Miguel Jorge.

Celesio’s CEO Fritz Oesterle and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Panfarma, Paulo Panarello, signed the cooperation document between one of the leading trading companies and service providers within the pharmaceutical market worldwide and the number one in Brazilian pharmaceutical wholesale.

Fritz Oesterle said, “We are now extending the excellent relationship between Germany and Brazil to the pharmaceutical wholesale market. Due to its rapidly growing pharmaceutical market and its liberal market conditions, Brazil is highly attractive to Celesio. And here, in the Brazilian market, Panfarma as the market leader is clearly our ideal choice.”

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg welcomes this new bilateral partnership. “I’m delighted that in times of this global financial and economic crisis a clear signal for growth is set”, the German Minister of Economics stated.

Paulo Panarello is confident that “the partnership between Celesio and Panfarma stands for a positive future for the provision of medicines in Brazil. With joint opportunities and Celesio’s experience, Panfarma will be ideally equipped to extend its market position.”

The Brazilian Minister of Economics, Miguel Jorge, likewise welcomed Celesio’s commitment to the Brazilian market and emphasised the importance of this bilateral partnership.

About Celesio Group:

Celesio is one of the leading trading companies and service providers within the pharmaceutical market worldwide. The group is active in 28 countries and employs more than 45,000 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 140 wholesale branches worldwide deliver to over 65,000 pharmacies - 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: RainerBerghausen, Celesio AG, +49(0)711-5001-549 media@celesio.com

Source: Celesio AG

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