3. COVID-19 pandemic

As expected, the first quarter of 2021 was also difficult for Galenica due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Repercussions of the pandemic, such as the absence of seasonal colds, the lack of any flu epidemic as well as people's continued low mobility had a negative impact on the sales. Sales in pharmacies at high-frequency locations were still around 30% lower than their pre-pandemic level in the first quarter of 2019.

Business improved substantially from April 2021 onward. Galenica Group pharmacies and logistics companies actively supported the federal government and the people of Switzerland in the combat against the COVID-19 pandemic. Various activities and offers connected to these efforts, in particular the distribution of COVID-19 self-test, have strongly contributed to this growth. As a result, the positive impact on net sales and EBIT resulting from the aforementioned COVID-19 initiatives could more than compensate the incurred losses due to COVID-19 in the first half year 2021.