Tamro Sweden

Total pharmaceutical sales for the period February– April 2008 were EUR 776 (736) million in pharmacy purchase prices (PPP), which represents growth of 5.5% at constant exchange rates (CER) compared to last year.

Tamro Sweden’s net sales during February–April were EUR 388 (429) million. The net sales in Sweden decreased by 9.7% compared to the corresponding period last year due to changes in some contracts with suppliers requiring a different accounting treatment of the agreements. Nevertheless, Tamro’s average market share for February– April was 53%.

Liberalisation of the state-owned pharmacy monopoly as from the beginning of 2009 continues to be at the top of the political agenda. It has been suggested that at least half of the current 900 pharmacies should be sold through auctions in clusters of 80–100 branches, while private pharmacists should be offered opportunities to buy individual pharmacies.

The Swedish government is also preparing the introduction of appropriate legislation to secure a functioning market  with fair competition between the state owned Apoteket and new entrants. A successfull liberalisation is dependent on a new state owned service company offering comprehensive infrastructure support to all market players. Privatisation is expected to bring healthy competition to the sector in terms of service efficiency and opening hours.

The share of Tamro Sweden’s operations in the Group net sales decreased to 28%, and the company employed an average of 438 (428) people.