Sales at Swiss pharma Roche up 5%

Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche today posted sales of €4.91 billion for the first quarter of 2002 in a 5 per cent increase from a year earlier.

But sales by the vitamins and fine chemicals division fell by 3 per cent in what Roche termed "a highly competitive marketplace".

"The group is currently reviewing strategic options for the division," the statement said.

In late February, Roche said it was examining the possible sale of its vitamins unit after being fined by the European Commission in a vitamin cartel controversy.

For the full year, "the Roche Group expects mid- to high single-digit growth to continue," the statement said.

AFP