In the third quarter of 2015, Pelion Group companies continued to advance their sales growth strategy in an effort that is key to improving profitability in the long term.

The Group's efforts led to an increase in consolidated revenue by 11.7%, to PLN 6,323bn, lifting gross profit by 20.9%. The SG&A ratio was up 1.5 pp year on year, driven by consolidation of the Natura beauty store chain in the fourth quarter of 2014, costs of operating the new DOZ direct system, and efforts to enhance sales. A one-off item that weighed on the Group's result for the third quarter of 2015 was a PLN 2,870 thousand impairment loss in a Lithuanian subsidiary.

Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna S.A. was working to strengthen its business relationships with independent pharmacies and small chains under its 'Healthy Choice' programme. It also provided high-quality services to chain pharmacies and built a broad range of services for manufacturers.

DOZ pharmacies focused primarily on ensuring affordable prices, high quality of services and full availability of products for patients. Affordable prices are the key element that makes DOZ pharmacies stand out in the market. Also, work was continued to develop the health-and-beauty store format and online sales. Thanks to all these actions, sales by DOZ pharmacies in Q3 2015 rose at a rate faster than the average pharmacy sales reported on the market. Striving to meet customer expectations, the DOZ pharmacy network expanded its product range by adding high-quality, low-priced products sold under private labels.
In the third quarter of 2015, the Drogerie Natura chain was developing its comprehensive product portfolio distinguished by high-quality products at affordable prices. Natura was rewarded for its efforts with the good fifth place in this year's consumer survey of Poland's best retail chains, conducted by OC&C Strategy Consultants.
The consolidated revenue growth reported in the third quarter of the year demonstrates that the product offering marketed by Pelion Group companies meets the growing needs and expectations of their customers and patients.

The table below presents the Q3 2015 and Q1−Q3 2015 financial highlights, along with comparative year-on-year data:


Q1−Q3 2015 Q1−Q3 2014 Change* Q3 2015 Q3 2014 Change*
Revenue (PLNm) 6,323.0 5,659.2 +11.7% 2,098.6 1,855.5 +13.1%
Gross profit (PLNm) 736.4 609.3 +20.9% 242.7 201.7 +20.3%
Gross margin 11.6% 10.8% + 0.8pp 11.6% 10.9% +0.7pp
EBITDA (PLNm) 100.0 101.1 -1.1% 26.8 31.4 -14.7%
EBITDA margin 1.6% 1.8% -0.2pp 1.3% 1.7% -0.4pp
Net profit attributable to owners of the parent (PLNm) 19.6 30.7 -36.2% 0.7 4.2 -82.3%
Net margin 0.3% 0.5% -0.2pp 0.0% 0.2% -0.2pp
Earnings per share (PLN) 1.76 2.75 -0.99 0.07 0.38 -0.31

* Change calculated based on figures in PLN '000


For further information, please contact:
Pelion S.A. Press Office
Phone: (+48 42) 200 75 94
Fax: (+48 42) 200 75 35
Email: biuro_prasowe@pelion.eu
Pelion S.A.

has operated on the market for twenty-five years, starting out as a local pharmaceutical wholesaler. In 1998, the Company shares were floated on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Proceeds from the initial public offering fuelled the Company's dynamic growth and allowed it to embark on consolidation of the pharmaceutical wholesale market. Since its flotation, the Company has secured a top position among domestic distributors of medicinal products. Today, Pelion Healthcare is one of the largest groups operating in the healthcare markets in Poland and Lithuania. It provides services across all market segments (wholesale, retail sales and sales to hospitals), targeted at individual patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and manufacturers. As a holding company, Pelion S.A. oversees all areas of the Company's operations, which are conducted by PGF S.A. and Pharmapoint Sp. z o.o. (wholesale), PGF Urtica Sp. z o.o. (hospital sales), CEPD N.V. (retail sales), and Pharmalink Sp. z o.o. (services for manufacturers).


distributed by