Will GSK outpace Polpharma in the battle for the pharmaceutical market?

The head of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK), Mark Loughran, announced in an interview that his company this year will expand much faster that its competitors, and hopes to increase sales by over 8% and double its exports. According to many analysts, GSK's battle over the domestic market with Polph arma, will be one of the most interesting events in the sector this year. Po lpharma, the country's largest drug producer, declared plans to keep its lea ding position. Its domestic sales reached zl. 670 million in 2002, which is an increase of 24% as compared to the previous year. Forecasts for 2003 envi sage a total sales increase, including exports, to zl. 990 million, with dom estic sales of zl. 786 million. According to sector experts from IMS Health, the pharmaceutical market is expected to grow this year by 7%. (Puls Biznesu , p. 10) A.K.