The US Merck & Co., Inc's subsidiary Suomen MSD Oy has entered into a distribution agreement with Oriola in Finland. MSD's drugs have earlier been distributed by KD Tukku, which became part of Oriola last year.
Merck & Co., Inc. is one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies. Its pharmaceutical sales totalled USD 22.5 billion in year 2003, and the company invested USD 3.2 billion in R&D.
MSD's most important therapy areas in Finland are cardiovascular, hypertension, osteoporosis, inflammatory, asthma and migraine.
MSD's pharmaceutical sales in Finland are estimated to exceed EUR 75 million this year and its market share in Finland is 5.3%.
The Managing Director of Suomen MSD Oy Kari Järvinen is confident that the co-operation with Oriola will guarantee the availability of MSD pharmaceuticals on time for customers.
Oriola, a business division of the Orion Group, is a pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor and a marketer of healthcare products covering the sector comprehensively. The market share of Oriola of pharmaceutical distribution in Finland is currently about 46%. Oriola's invoicing in 2003 came to EUR 984.9 million.
For additional information, please contact:
Managing Director Kari Järvinen, Suomen MSD Oy, tel. +358 9 8046 5321
President Risto Kanerva, Oriola Oy, tel. +358 50 429 2765