Ciech Polfa likely to remain outside PGF

The Cabinet has approved the creation of Polish Pharmaceutical Holding (PGF) without the participation of Ciech Polfa. On Monday the Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK) expressed its agreement to allow the consolidation of the state-owned pharmaceutical companies. "Now there are no more obstacles and the program can be analyzed by the government. The three Polfa companies, Tarchomin, Pabianice and Warsaw, while they will operate in one holding company, will maintain their separate legal identities," said Deputy Treasury Minister Józef Woźniakowski. However, Andrzej Kleszczewski, the president of Polfa Tarchomin stated that, "It is a shame that the program does not envisage cooperation with Ciech Polfa. Its participation is necessary for us to operate in some countries. This means that Ciech will be able to distribute drugs made by other producers, as well as those made by the Holding." It still remains unknown who will become the president of PGF, but the newest candidate for the post is Grzegorz Mroczkowski, the head of state department for restructuring and state aid. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 7) M.M.