Optimisation and further development of logistics and other services
The “Logistics & IT” segment comprises the two sectors “Wholesale” and “Logistics & IT Services”. These provide services for all those involved in the healthcare sector – pharmacies, drugstores, doctors, hospitals and care homes, partners and suppliers. Their activities focus on optimising and further developing the logistics services and service offering as well as providing innovative solutions that promote digitalisation in the healthcare market.
Net sales
+7.4%
Logistics & IT CHF 1,377.9 million
EBIT adjusted1
+17.2%
Logistics & IT CHF 26.3 million
Number of employees
1,676
Galenica Group 7,095
Net sales and operating result
The “Logistics & IT” segment generated net sales of CHF 1,377.9 million (+7.4%) in the first half of 2021. CHF 1,328.8 million (+7.4%) thereof was attributable to the “Wholesale” sector and CHF 50.5 million (+4.4%) to the “Logistics & IT Services” sector. “Logistics & IT” therefore clearly exceeded the growth of the overall market of 3.4% (IQVIA, Pharmaceutical Market Switzerland, first half of 2021).
COVID-19 continued to impact sales in the “Logistics & IT” segment in the first half of 2021. Additional sales, driven primarily by the coronavirus pandemic, contributed an estimated +4.1% to sales growth. In addition, further gains were made in market share in the physicians segment. On the other hand, the absence of a flu and cold season impacted sales negatively. The negative impact on sales development due to the government-mandated drug price reductions also continued and amounted to -1.2% in the reporting period. Excluding this effect, net sales in the segment would have risen by 8.6%.
The adjusted1 operating result (EBIT), i.e. excluding the influence of the IFRS 16 (Leases) accounting standard, rose by 17.2% to CHF 26.3 million year-on-year.
The adjusted1 return on sales (ROS) for the first half of 2021 was 1.9% (first half of 2020: 1.8%), Additional COVID-19-related sales in particular contributed to this development.
Investments totalled CHF 14.4 million in the reporting period (first half of 2020: CHF 15.3 million) and were largely used for the modernisation and renovation of the Galexis distribution centre in Lausanne-Ecublens as well as for the gradual roll-out of the new ERP software at Alloga and Galexis.
1) Excluding the effects of IAS 19 and IFRS 16. See chapter Alternative performance measures.
