Sanofi-Aventis results hit by generics

Sanofi-Aventis has reported sales for 2005 were up 9.3 per cent to 27,311 million euros as strong vaccine sales offset falling sales of the antihistamine Allegra due to generic competition.

The company’s vaccine business had growth of 26.9 per cent for 2005 while the top 15 pharmaceutical products grew in sales by 14 per cent.

The firm admitted fourth-quarter net sales for the pharmaceuticals business were “significantly affected” by the arrival of Allegra generics in the US as they rose by 1.6 per cent to 6,364 million euros.

Allegra sales in the US in the fourth quarter fell by 58.5 per cent.

Net sales for pharmaceuticals in 2005 were at 25,249 million euros, an increase of 8.1 per cent.

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