Novo mesto, 22 March (STA) - Pharma company Krka saw group net profit increase 41% in 2017 to EUR 152.6m, on sales that rose 8% to EUR 1.27bn, a new record for the company, show unaudited results released on Thursday.
Group operating profit (EBIT) rose 62% to EUR 198.7m and profit before tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was up 34% to EUR 306.6m.
The core company posted sales of EUR 1.2bn, up almost 12%, whereas net profit rose nearly 50% to EUR 153.7m.
Krka generated 93% of sales abroad, with its largest region Eastern Europe, which accounts for almost a third of overall sales, growing at a rate of 17%. Sales recovered in particular in Russia, where they grew by a fifth.
In Central Europe, which contributed 24% to overall revenue, sales figures rose by 6%.
In Western Europe, which accounts for 22.6% of Krka sales, revenue was almost flat, mostly due to a 13% decline in Germany.
Prescription drugs remain the strongest segment, contributing almost 83% to the total sales.