Aspen Pharmacare, which is based in South Africa, bought the rights to the old medicines from GlaxoSmithKline in 2009 and subsequently imposed large … Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced unaudited interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2019. 8 – 1155 North Service Road West, Oakville, ON, L6M 3E3 Since 2001, Aspen has engaged in more than 580 projects in 40 countries which have impacted the lives of some 782 000 beneficiaries. Retrenchments at Aspen Pharmacare’s production facilities in Port Elizabeth and East London have wrapped up —  with the expected number of  job losses reduced by half.A Section 189A notice was issued to staff in December, with 219 jobs on the line as the company sought to remain globally competitive.However, Aspen Pharmacare’s executive head of pharm finished dose form operations, Grant Swart, said that this figure had dropped significantly after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) hearings.The first hearing at the CCMA took place in January and was completed in March.“The number of impacted employees has reduced from 219 to about 100 across the Eastern Cape manufacturing sites,” Swart said.“The involuntary separations complete the primary phase of the SA operations’ transformation journey to transition into a globally competitive, technologically advanced and long-term sustainable pharmaceutical powerhouse.“This ambitious transformation enables the business to access and lead in several niche therapeutic opportunities globally while proudly rooted in the Eastern Cape.”He said the process was not something that the company took lightly and was the last resort.“It was a journey that has been transparent, involving employees and trade unions, and having valued their input throughout,”  Swart said.Aspen employs about 2,500 people in the Eastern Cape.Details of the severance package show that those who opted for voluntary retrenchment received two weeks’ pay for every year of service, two months’ notice pay for less than 10 years of service, three months’ notice pay for more than 10 years of service and all annual leave days paid out.The involuntary retrenchment package included 100% medical aid cover for up to three months, two weeks’ pay for every year of service, two months’ notice pay for less than 10 years of service or three months’ notice pay for more than 10 years of service and all annual leave days paid out.Those  who took voluntary early retirement were offered provident fund backpay compensation, annual leave days paid out, one month’s notice pay, and 50% of remaining retirement contribution.All three groups were given a tertiary financial support waiver on any courses enrolled in with no obligation to repay the company and relocation assistance for moves more than 100km from their residence.Employees were also offered counselling, financial advice and career guidance.In a notice to staff, Swart said: “The global economic uncertainty, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, makes it even more imperative to secure the long-term viability of our business.”He said the company remained committed to producing competitive, affordable, high-quality medicine.“The more we produce locally in these challenging times, the more we can future-proof our business.“We have redesigned the manufacturing business to eliminate inefficiencies, drive cost-effectiveness across the value chain, and institutionalise technology in our manufacturing processes.”On those who lost their jobs, he said: “We are grateful and indebted to these colleagues for their service.“Involuntary separation is not something that Aspen takes lightly and represents the last resort.”Meanwhile, the steroid hailed as a major breakthrough around the world in Covid-19 treatment is manufactured and packaged in Port Elizabeth with Aspen Pharmacare — which owns the rights to dexamethasone — outsourcing the manufacturing of the injections to Fresenius Kabi.The factories for both pharmaceutical giants are situated next to each other in Holland Park near the North End Lake.The low-cost, widely used steroid treatment reportedly cuts the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators and a fifth for those on oxygen.Would you like to comment on this article or view other readers' comments?


Aspen Pharmacare, ein Unternehmen aus dem Markt "Arzneimittel", notiert aktuell (Stand 03:02 Uhr) mit 7.55 USD stark im Minus (-1.39 Prozent). Latest News ASPEN PHARMACARE CANADA Inc. Launches ASPEN-Dienogest for the Management of Pelvic Pain Associated With Endometriosis Oakville, ON, April 15, 2020 – Aspen Pharmacare Canada Inc. is proud to launch ASPEN-Dienogest, a generic drug whose bioequivalence to the brand product VISANNE® has been demonstrated the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. This attitude is particularly pleasing as it is so closely aligned with our ethos of displaying respect while instilling a spirit of dignity in disadvantaged citizens and it speaks so closely to our credo of Despite the global ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aspen has continued with its Mandela Day efforts and is, dependent on whether circumstances allow, providing for activities to take place from July to December 2020.

Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “We participated in our first initiative in 2011 when we partnered with the Rekopane Inclusive Development Centre based in Germiston, Gauteng.
ASPEN-Dienogest provides the same efficacy and safety as the brand product, at a lower cost to patients. Oakville, ON, April 15, 2020 – Aspen Pharmacare Canada Inc. is proud to launch ASPEN-Dienogest, a generic drug whose bioequivalence to the brand product VISANNE® has been demonstrated the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. © 2020 Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. Little were we to know at that time, that our annual Mandela Day initiative would gain such significant momentum and be implemented across our businesses in some 40 countries.”“Our employees continue to drive our Mandela Day campaign and it’s always encouraging to see their involvement and enthusiasm as we collectively strive to make a meaningful difference in the world. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “As…

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd: June 17 (Reuters) - Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd: * USE OF DEXAMETHASONE IN THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 REQUIRING RESPIRATORY INTERVENTION