Slovenian Lek seeking Polish pharmaceutical plants

The Slovenian pharmaceuticals producer Lek is considering purchasing Lodz-based Argon. A decision is expected this year. Lek's board of directors has not abandoned its designs on the privatization of Polfa Grodzisk, but is still waiting for the Treasury Ministry's approval. Lek is ready to spend up to $100 million to take over Polish plants, aiming to expand the company's presence on Polish market to a 4% stake within 3 or 4 years. Metod Dragonja, Lek's president, explains that the company wants to produce in-country about half the medicines it will sell on the Polish market. Lek could even build its own plant in Poland. The company expects a zl. 220 million turnover in Poland this year. As of June 30 of this year, Lek had registered 15.8% of its total sales on the Polish market. (Puls Biznesu, page 3