Darya-Varia posts $9.97m in profit

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed pharmaceutical maker PT Darya- Varia Laboratoria reported a 49.1 percent increase in net profit to Rp 23.73 billion (US$9.97 million) for 1996, from Rp 15.86 billion in 1995.

Net sales rose 49 percent to Rp 203.2 billion in 1996 from Rp 136.3 billion the previous year.

The statement said the better-than-expected profit was because of the acquisition of PT Pradja-Pharin and PT Pradja Pharma. The company did not say how much the firms contributed to the result.

Earnings per share rose to Rp 177 from Rp 127 in 1995.

PT Darya-Varia predicted another good year ahead in line with an increase in demand for ethical and over-the-counter drugs.

Darya Varia, which was established in 1976, makes ethical drugs and markets over-the-counter drugs. Ethical drugs include banndochin, brasmatic, dalfarol, darcemol, nifurol, super tetra and chenolak. Over-the-counter drugs include stop-cold, nature-e, stomagel and reumaplant. (09)