Bayer sees improved consumer health performance

Bayer has published its group financial report for the first quarter of 2010, highlighting year-on-year improvements in the performance of its consumer health division.

The company’s consumer health segment achieved a sales total of 1.3 billion euros (1.1 billion pounds), an increase of 6.5 per cent compared to the first quarter of last year and the largest improvement of any of Bayer’s healthcare departments.

Among the products to show the strongest growth was the analgesic Aleve, sales of which rose by 40.9 per cent, while Bayer’s One-A-Day vitamins also saw double-digit growth.

The improved performance of this and other divisions allowed the company as a whole to achieve a sales total of 8.3 billion euros for the quarter.

Werner Wenning, chairman of the board of management at Bayer, said: “Bayer is well on track and we plan to grow again this year.”

Last month, the company marked World Haemophilia Day by offering a contribution of 250,000 euros to aid charities which aim to improve the quality of treatment available for sufferers of the condition.