Roche financials

Executive Summary

U.S. sales of Aleve, which is marketed though joint venture with Bayer, dipped 11% in 2002, contributing to OTC sales decline of 7% (2% in local currencies) for the year, firm reports Feb. 26. Swiss firm's consumer health sales also suffered from currency problems in Latin America, "particularly the devaluation of the Argentinean peso," Roche says. Total OTC sales for 2002 dropped to $1.15 bil., while firm's overall pharmaceutical sales inched up 2% (9% in local currencies) to $14.27 bil. (1 CHF=74¢). Roche is in the process of divesting its vitamins & fine chemicals division to DSM (1"The Tan Sheet" Feb. 17, 2002, In Brief)...