Pharmacia & Upjohn expanding in France

Phamacia & Upjohn says it intends to double its French drug marketpresence to generate sales of 3 billion francs ($471.9 million) within the next five years. The new president of the group's French subsidiary, Patrice Coissac, told Le Figaro this would be achieved through internal growth and through acquisitions of either companies or, more likely, licences. He added that with consolidated sales of 1.55 billion francs expected this year from a workforce of 791 people, the unit was too small compared with other P&U subsidiaries, noting that its share of the French drug market was lower than the group average worldwide - 1.2% compared with 1.8%. Mr Coissac said the French unit is P&U's sixth largest subsidiary, though the country represents the fourth largest drug market, which is "not an acceptable position."