AAH parent company parts ways with CEO

AAH Pharmaceuticals' parent company Celesio has confirmed that its chief executive officer (CEO) Markus Pinger has left the organisation.

The firm has parted ways with Mr Pinger due to a difference in opinions over management issues, with chief financial officer Dr Marion Helmes to take over the function provisionally as spokesperson of the management board.

Stephan Gemkow, chairman of the supervisory board at Celesio, said: "Dr Helmes has contributed decisively to the chosen path of the realignment of the group. The supervisory board is looking forward to working together with Ms Helmes in her extended responsibilities."

It represents a significant strategic development for Celesio, a leading provider of logistics and services in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, which employs 39,000 employees in 16 countries around the world.

In addition to AAH, the group operates the Lloyds Pharmacy and Evolution Homecare brands in the UK and operates 2,200 pharmacies worldwide, while its brand partnership schemes have 4,100 participants.