Generic and over-the-counter drugs company Stada has asked the German government to seek assurances from Ukraine that the company can continue operations
there even though it also does business in Russia.
In a March 21 letter to German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, Stada CEO Peter Goldschmidt said there was a risk Kyiv might withdraw the company's market
authorisation.
Stada "still has no longer-term certainty that we will be able to sell our products in Ukraine in the future," the letter said, with the subject line: "Please
prevent the exclusion of international pharmaceutical companies from the Ukrainian market." The Economy Ministry did not have an immediate comment on the letter.
Habeck promised investment guarantees for German companies during a trip to Ukraine on Tuesday (April 4) as part of his goal to speed up reconstruction in the
war-torn country.
Goldschmidt said restricting Stada's operations would be bad for Ukraine.
In a mutual agreement with the STADA board, Roger Scarlett-Smith has stepped down from his role as head of UK.
The company has assigned the responsibility of UK operation to Rudolf Bär with current responsibilities as cluster head for Mid-Sized European Markets.
Scarlett-Smith joined STADA in October 2018 to lead the UK operation upon the retirement of Dieno George. Prior to this, he had enjoyed an illustrious career in
the Consumer Healthcare sector, largely with GlaxoSmithKline, for which he held positions including as President North America, President EMEA and Head of Global
Categories.
Under his leadership, the STADA UK business has grown sales by 50 per cent and profitability has more than doubled. He has reshaped the business to improve efficiency.
There has been a marked acceleration of product innovation including key line extensions to the Zoflora disinfectant range as well as the introduction of a
salmeterol and fluticasone inhaler in the Rx respiratory sector. Meanwhile, T+R has developed a fine reputation regionally, being voted number 1 regional company
last year and winning many national industry awards.
STADA has appointment Nigel Stephenson as General Manager UK with effect from 1 August 2023.
Based in Huddersfield, UK, Stephenson will report directly to STADA's Head of Western Europe and Germany, Stephan Eder.
He will take over from Rudolf Bär, who has successfully led the UK business for almost one year in addition to his responsibilities for STADA's Mid-Sized European
Markets.|
A dynamic and modern commercial leader with extensive experience in sales and marketing across Western, Central and Eastern Europe, and the UK in leading
pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare and fast-moving consumer goods companies.
He joins STADA from consumer healthcare leader Haleon, where he most recently served as General Manager Switzerland.
"With his strong people and results orientation, along with deep purpose-driven engagement, Nigel will support our UK team in realizing its full potential
through innovative and inclusive leadership," stated Eder.
People in the UK have a high level of trust in pharmacies and many are keen on seeing the Pharmacy First initiative expanded, according to the 2024 STADA
Health Report published today (24 June).
The 10th annual health report by global healthcare leader STADA Arzneimittel AG, the parent company of Thornton & Ross, involved a survey of over 46,000
respondents across 23 countries, including 2,000 participants from the UK.
The UK data showed an overwhelming trust in UK pharmacies, with 94 per cent of those surveyed (more than nine out of 10 Brits) saying they have only ever had
good advice from a pharmacist.
The report also indicated a strong desire for the Pharmacy First scheme to be expanded, with 44 per cent of respondents advocating for an increase in pharmacists'
scope of responsibilities to support doctors.
Thornton & Ross is all set to expand its consumer healthcare offering by acquiring the well-established Opticrom eye-drops brand from Sanofi in the UK.
Opticrom forms part of a wider transaction between Thornton & Ross' parent group, STADA, and Sanofi for eight local consumer healthcare brands across several
countries, including Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Spain and the UK. The transaction will be financed with a combination of cash on balance sheet and existing
facilities, and is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary approvals of relevant regulatory authorities.
Opticrom Allergy 10ml bottle and 20 single doses for itchy, watery, red and inflamed eyes can be found behind the pharmacy counter, while Opticrom Hayfever
10ml bottle is available to purchase via self-selection to soothe and relieve eye symptoms of hayfever.
These non-prescription medicines contain 20 mg/1ml sodium cromoglicate (2.0% w/v) and offer relief within 2 minutes.