Bild aus dem Geschäftsbericht 2007:
Image du rapport annuel 2007:
Picture of the annual report 2007:
THE HISTORY OF THE GALENICA GROUP
2007 _The Group took significant strategic decisions and reached important milestones in various key projects: The acquisition of the Canadian Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corporation and MediService, the Swiss specialty pharmacy, will be of long-term strategic importance. The new iron replacement product Ferinject® was approved in 18 EU countries and in Switzerland. The distribution centre in Niederbipp is scheduled to begin operations soon. The Galenica Group pharmacy network was expanded to a total of 228 locations.
2006 _Registration files for the new iron-based product Ferinject® are submitted in Switzerland as well as in 17 countries of the European Union. By acquiring several brands in the UK, Galenica takes a key step towards expanding abroad via its British subsidiary, Potters. With the launch of Vitana® Vifor offers a new multivitamin product with iron in Switzerland. Galexis receives the building permit for the new logistics centre in Niederbipp (canton of Berne). Documed publishes the first edition of Basis-BrevierTM, which compares original products with generics. The new touch screen function of the TriaPharm® pharmacy software offers many advantages for clients from an ergonomic perspective. About half of all Amavita pharmacies are equipped with TriaPharm®. The 100th Amavita pharmacy is opened in December. The new Amavita Partnership model, offering a franchising system for independent pharmacists, is launched.
2005 _The Galenica Group transfers its full share of the European pre-wholesale business to its strategic partner, Alliance Unichem. In return, it takes over sole control of Alloga in Switzerland and GaleniCare Holding. Vifor (International) signs long-term cooperation agreements to market existing and future iron products on the American market. In addition, the American Food and Drug Administration approves Venofer® for sale in the USA for treating iron-based anaemia in pre-dialysis patients. Galenica decides to build a new distribution centre in Niederbipp (canton of Berne) which should go into operation in 2008, replacing the Galexis distribution centres in Berne-Schönbühl and Zurich-Schlieren. Under a new name Amavita and with a uniform brand image, the GaleniCare pharmacies are transformed into the largest pharmacy chain in Switzerland.
2004 _The General Meeting decides to create an authorised share capital by amending the statutes. Galenica takes over the manufacturer of Perskindol®, Pharma Singer Ltd. The Group has tripled its staff in the last 10 years and now has over 3,000 employees.
2003 _A single type of share is introduced and replaces the previous system of registered A and B shares. Galenica completes a private placement of Fr. 215 million with a group of international insurance companies. The proceeds of the financing will be used for general corporate purposes and to refinance outstanding bank loans under existing lines of credit. With the acquisition of Potter’s (Herbal Supplies) Ltd., Galenica lays the first stepping stone in its expansion into the rest of Europe. Furthermore, together with EMH Editores Medicorum Helveticorum, Galenica takes over the medical publishing house Documed Ltd., the publisher of the Swiss Drug Compendium.
2002 _Galenica celebrates its 75th anniversary and takes further steps in turning its vision into reality. As an enduring gesture it makes a sizeable donation towards the construction of the Zentrum Paul Klee in Berne.
2000-2001 _The new organisational structure of the Galenica Group comes into force; a new visual identity is the outward symbol of this change. Business is extremely successful and the Group is well equipped for the challenges of the future. The American FDA (Food And Drug Administration) approves the sale of the iron product Venofer® on the American market, and construction work starts on the new production plant for Vifor (International) Ltd. in St. Gallen. A new distribution system (NOVA 2002) enables Galenica to gear itself for the deregulation of the Swiss healthcare market. The retail business sector is expanded through the acquisition of several pharmacies.
1999 _The statutes are amended to facilitate an IPO for the entire share capital. The acquisition of the Medichemie Group (today Vifor Ltd.) strengthens Galenica’s position in the Swiss healthcare market with its herbal remedies as well as gastroenterological products. Through its partnership with Alliance UniChem, a pan-European group, Galenica makes further inroads into the European market, particularly in the field of prewholesaling with Alloga Europe. Thanks to a second joint venture with Alliance UniChem, GaleniCare Holding Ltd., Galenica intends to create a pharmacy chain in Switzerland.
1997-1998 _Sizeable sums of money are spent on developing new products for Vifor Ltd. with the aim of driving forward the Group’s internationalisation. Acquisition of Laboratoire Golaz AG, specialised in OTC and prescription products.
1996 _Spurred on by the rapid changes sweeping the market, the management formulates a new vision and strategy that will turn Galenica into an international player at all levels of the healthcare market. The acquisition of the Amidro Group and the doctors’ supplier SWW StotzerWybergWyss Ltd. (today Galexis Ltd.) support the implementation of the Group’s strategic targets. Logistical operations are concentrated in three distribution centres (Berne-Schönbühl, Zurich-Schlieren and Lausanne-Ecublens). A universal software optimises business processes. The distribution centres now supply pharmacists, doctors, druggists and hospitals – setting a key trend for the entire Group.
1994 _The company is floated on the stock exchange through the conversion of part of the shares reserved for pharmacists as well as the participation bonds into quoted registered shares at a nominal value of Fr. 100.--. The Group now employs over 1,000 people.
1991-1993 _Galenica largely returns to its core business and divests itself of various business fields including hospital supplies. The head office of Galenica Ltd., today Galexis Ltd., is transferred to the new building in Berne-Schönbühl. Laboratorien Hausmann AG, today Vifor (International) Ltd., concentrates on the manufacture of iron products for treating iron-deficiency diseases, while Vifor Ltd. develops and produces OTC medicines for the Swiss market.
1987-1988 _As part of the ”new market regulations” that come into force on 1 January 1987, Galenica instigates various new measures in all its areas of activity. Creation of the post of Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the operational management of the Group. A new concept for management training and human resources management is drawn up. Galenica takes over a majority holding in Internationalen Verbandstoff-Fabrik Schaffhausen (IVF).
1980-1983 _Galenica acquires the majority of the share-capital of Laboratorien Hausmann AG, today Vifor (International) SA, in St. Gall. The company is specialised in perfusions and sterile solutions, as well as iron products. In the meantime, the staff of the Galenica Group number over 1,500.
1979 _Galenica is converted to a holding company and makes an initial public offer of participation shares. However, the majority is still held by Swiss pharmacists.
1977 _Galenica celebrates its 50th anniversary. Publication of the first complete reference book containing all pharmaceutical products sold in Switzerland: the Codex Galenica, today known as the Swiss Drug Compendium. The Group acquires the manufacturing companies Vifor Ltd. and Cooper Ltd., which operate in the areas of hospital supplies and pharmaceutical products.
1972 _With the creation of Adima Ltd., today Vifor Ltd., the cosmetics sector is added to the Group’s activities. Galenica now has 660 full-time employees.
1957 _Galenica diversifies into new areas through the creation of Galenica Représentations Ltd, today Alloga Ltd., specialised in foreign products for doctors, as well as setting up the new subsidiary Panpharma Ltd., today Vifor Ltd., specialised in marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products through pharmacies.
1938 _A scientific documentation service is launched as a logical addition to the wholesale business.
1932 _The purchasing centre flourishes and the range of products attracts interest across the whole of Switzerland. The head office is transferred to Berne and the company is renamed Galenica Ltd.
1927 _16 pharmacists in western Switzerland establish a joint purchasing centre under the name of Collaboration Pharmaceutique SA.