Introduction

This sales development was driven in particular by one-off additional sales in connection with COVID-19. The business developed very dynamically, especially in the last few months of 2021. On the one hand, the one-off additional sales in relation to COVID-19 increased again, and on the other hand, the sales of cold and flu medicines went up sharply compared to the same period of the previous year. A strong performance by the Mediservice speciality pharmacy and further market share gains in the wholesale business with physicians also contributed positively to sales growth. Once again, acquisitions of companies and products were another growth driver in the 2021 financial year. The profit from the sale of the property at the Galenica headquarters in Bern also had a positive impact on EBIT.

¹⁾ Excluding the effects of IAS 19 and IFRS 16. See chapter «Alternative performance measures».

Highlights from the financial year 2021

• As of the end of 2021, more than 230,000 antigen, PCR and antibody tests and over 90,000 vaccinations were carried out in Galenica Group pharmacies.
• With 28 primary care offers, the importance of pharmacies as the first point of contact for health issues increased further.
• The linking of online and offline offers gained further momentum, for example with the online booking of test and vaccination services.
• Online sales at Amavita and Sun Store grew by 50%.
• The speciality pharmacy Mediservice saw excellent growth with new medicines for rare diseases in combination with the increasing demand for home care services.
• New and existing partnerships with healthcare providers strengthened the offering available to business (B2B) and end (B2C) customers.
• Verfora reinforced its leading position in the Swiss consumer healthcare market through acquisitions.
• Galexis gained more market share with new offers for specialist doctors and the support of medical centres.