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APNASPENAspen Pharmacare Hldgs152350 (0.00%)
Our Response to Covid
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Aspen is in a closed period from 1st July 2026 until the publication of the annual results on the JSE SENS platform on the 2nd September 2026.

Year: 2020

AGI: Covid-19 support in Mauritius

Aspen donates anaesthetic medicines to patients in critical condition An Aspen Global Incorporated Initiative Ministry of Health, Emmanuel Anquetil Building, Port Louis, 29 April 2020: In a major contribution in our fight against Covid-19, Aspen Global Incorporated, the Mauritian subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings (a multinational pharmaceutical company), has donated approximately 30,000 vials of three anaesthetic products (Diprivan, Nimbex and Tracrium) used to treat patients in intensive care units (ICUs) with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, these medically critical products have become scarcer as demand has increased worldwide. It is in this context that Aspen has offered its help to Mauritius by donating a shipment of these products to the government, which were formally remitted to the Minister of Health and Wellness, Kailesh Jagutpal, during an official ceremony held on Wednesday the 29th of April 2020, at the Minister’s office in Port Louis. “We are really pleased to have offered our assistance to Mauritius in these testing times. Our sole intention is to give a helping hand to the country where we have based our global business. We all need to pool our resources to rid the world of this invisible enemy as quickly as possible with the fewest casualties. This initiative is in line with the Aspen Group’s motto: ‘Health Care, We Care’; and our aspirations are to care for our patients, our employees and our community. Though our stock for this product is limited in view of global demand, we will continue to consider all requests from Mauritius as a top priority,” says Samer Kassem, CEO of Aspen Global Incorporated. “I take note, with immense pleasure, of this act of generosity on behalf of Aspen. This is yet another example of the healthy and precious collaboration between the public and the private sector, I am confident that the existing robust relationship between the two sectors will keep on strengthening. Aspen’s initiative in providing us with this important stock of anaesthetic drugs, in spite of the challenging and difficult global situation when it comes to movement of goods, is very much appreciated. The ongoing COVID-19 situation is a planetary challenge, I remain confident that together, with all our stakeholders involved in the fight against the novel coronavirus, we will succeed in ascertaining that our population is provided with the best and most efficient health care possible”, states Kailesh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness. These high-end pharmaceutical products are indeed essential in the process of intubating patients for ventilation, as they induce light to deep sedation and muscle relaxation. Securing this stock is very important at this stage of the epidemic as it extends the country’s capacity to care for the most serious forms of illnesses due to Covid-19 in our hospitals. Indeed, this coronavirus leads, in some cases, to ARDS. The anaesthetics donated by Aspen, the use of which has been confirmed by the Covid-19 Guidelines issued by the European Society of Intensive Care, helps doctors to find the right synchronisation between the patient and the mechanical ventilator. The advisor to the Government of Mauritius, Dr Catherine Gaud, who has been instrumental in linking Aspen to the authorities was also present at the ceremony and lauded this initiative “Such partnerships with the private sector show the sense of solidarity that all Mauritians are demonstrating in the wake of this disease. How a country combats the COVID-19 and any other pandemic of this amplitude will also depend on such solidarity.” This initiative is very important to Aspen as it is in line with its commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates. Mauritius has been the launchpad for the global expansion of the group since 2008 and, the passionate staff and their families have been very active in carrying out social initiatives towards the community since its establishment 12 years ago. While Covid-19 is yet another challenge, bringing hardship to people around the world, it also represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to “reset” our humanity and connect with others and nature as never before.

Aspen responds to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to action on COVID-19

Johannesburg – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced that the Group is actively focused on employees carrying out best practices in respect of the prevention and containment of COVID-19 while ensuring continued supply of medicines to patients. Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “As articulated by our President Cyril Ramaphosa, COVID-19 raises unprecedented challenges for both South Africa and the world. These challenges require an extraordinary response from every sector of society, not least the domestic pharmaceutical industry. These challenges have been exacerbated by the ban from India on the export of a range of pharmaceutical products and their raw materials.” “Aspen is in discussion with the South African Government to make available, wherever feasible, its extensive South African oral solid and liquid pharmaceutical manufacturing operations for priority treatment of the South African public. This will entail adjusting some of Aspen’s production plans.” “We echo our President’s appeal to the South African public for their assistance during this unprecedented time. Aspen has seen a spike in inquiries and demand in some of its over–the-counter pain, respiratory and colds and flu medicines. We wish to emphasise that our supply chain is currently robust and panic-buying will create unnecessary stress.” “At this time, Aspen wishes to reassure the South African public of its commitment to them.”

Aspen increases revenue and progresses on medium-term priorities

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. GROUP PERFORMANCE (CONTINUING OPERATIONS) Aspen increased revenue by 3% to R18,4 billion for the six months ended 31 December 2019. Commercial Pharma increased 2% to R15,2 billion, supported by 6% revenue growth in Regional Brands. Manufacturing revenue grew 6% to R3,2 billion, favourably impacted by the recommencing of commercial sales of heparin API. Normalised EBITDA was flat at R5,3 billion and normalised headline earnings per share (“NHEPS”) increased 1% to 707,0 cents, benefiting from lower net financing costs. The Group delivered an improved operating cash conversion rate of 87%, up from 43% in the prior comparable period, supported by controlled working capital outflow and reduced taxation payments. Internally generated cash flows have been used to reduce debt, assisting net borrowings to decline to R37,9 billion from R39,0 billion as at 30 June 2019. The implementation of IFRS 16 – leases on a modified retrospective basis resulted in a once off increase in borrowings of R547 million. A leverage ratio of 3,5 times has been achieved, comfortably below the covenant ratio of 4,0 times. Aspen classifies certain of its intangible assets as being of indefinite life.  Lower performance against prior expectations resulted in the decision to impair certain Regional Brands by R489 million. The Japanese Business was disposed of, with effect from 31 January 2020. Aspen has exited the commercialisation of public sector ARVs in South Africa. The Group has entered into an agreement with Laurus, a leading Indian producer of ARV APIs, to toll manufacture ARVs, thus ensuring the South African government retains access to competitive prices for these critical medicines. Aspen will continue to sell ARVs in the South African private sector. Both the Japanese Business and the commercialisation of ARVs in the South African public sector have been reclassified to discontinued operations for the period ended 31 December 2019. The results for the comparative period ended 31 December 2018 as well as for the year ended 30 June 2019 have also been restated to exclude these discontinued operations, together with the previously discontinued operations, namely the Nutritionals Business and the Asia Pacific non-core pharmaceutical portfolio. Relative movements in exchange rates had no material impact on financial performance, as is illustrated in the table below which compares performance in the prior comparable period at previously reported exchange rates and then at constant exchange rates (“CER”).  The CER results for the six months ended 31 December 2018 re-state performance for that period using the average exchange rates for the six months ended 31 December 2019. Six months ended 31 December 2019 Continuing operations Reported H1 2020 Rmillion Reported restated H1 2019^ Rmillion Change at reported rates % H1 2019^ CER Rmillion Change at CER % Revenue 18 417 17 878 3% 17 937 3% Normalised EBITDA* 5 260 5 241 –  5 259 – NHEPS** (cents) 707,0 702,4 1% 706,8 – ^ H1 2019 has been restated taking into account the impact of discontinued operations, namely the Nutritionals Business, the Asia Pacific non-core pharmaceutical portfolio, Japanese Business and the South African public sector ARVs. * Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation adjusted for specific non-trading items as defined in the Group’s accounting policy. ** NHEPS is HEPS adjusted for specific non-trading items, being transaction costs and other acquisition and disposal-related gains or losses, restructuring costs, settlement of product related litigation costs, net monetary adjustments and currency devaluations relating to hyperinflationary economies and significant once-off tax provision charges or credits arising from the resolution of prior year tax matters. SEGMENTAL PERFORMANCE Note:  CER is used as the reference point for the six months ended 31 December 2018 Commercial Pharma Commercial Pharma comprises Aspen’s Regional Brands and Sterile Focus Brands. Revenue of R15,2 billion represented 2% growth while gross profit remained flat at R8,6 billion. Regional Brands Regional Brands grew 6% to R8,3 billion with positive growth well spread across the Group. Gross profit percentage was negatively impacted by the decline in revenues from the oncology portfolio in Europe CIS and the previously reported recall of Zantac in Australia. Sub-Saharan Africa (+7%) performed well, benefiting from the increased focus achieved by splitting the portfolio into two discrete divisions. Revenue from Latin America (+11%) continued to grow supported by a strong performance from domestic brands. Sterile Focus Brands Sterile Focus Brands, comprising Aspen’s Anaesthetics and Thrombosis portfolios, maintained a flat gross profit at R3,9 billion despite revenue reducing 2% to R7,0 billion. The gross margin percentage improved to 56,6 % benefiting from a higher relative weighting of Anaesthetics sales in the product mix. Revenue from Anaesthetics grew 3% to R 3,9 billion. China (+23%) delivered strong growth. Europe CIS (-6%) was impacted by changes in commercial structures and ongoing Anaesthetics supply constraints. Performance in Europe CIS accelerated over the six months as supply improved and changes to the commercial structure yielded a positive response. Thrombosis revenue declined 8% to R3,1 billion, negatively impacted by Europe CIS (-10%) which contributes approximately 80% of the Group’s total Thrombosis revenue. Europe CIS commenced a commercial restructure at the start of the half and results have progressively improved since this initiative was implemented resulting in a notably stronger second quarter. Manufacturing Manufacturing revenue increased 6% to R3,2 billion. The recommencement of commercial sales of heparin API to third parties added R273 million. Gross profit percentage of 26,6% was in line with that achieved in the full year to 30 June 2019 although lower than the 36,2% in the six months to 31 December 2018 when there was a favourable product mix in the API Business. PROSPECTS We anticipate a continuation of the positive progress towards the Group’s medium-term priorities in the second half of the financial year. These priorities are directed towards ensuring Aspen is continuing to adapt effectively to the dynamic environment in which we operate, focusing on our areas of competitive advantage, driving organic growth and… Continue reading Aspen increases revenue and progresses on medium-term priorities

Closed Period

Aspen is in a closed period from 1st January 2026 until the publication of the interim results on the JSE SENS platform on the 3rd March 2026.

The live presentation will take place in Cape Town at 08h30 on 2 March 2023.

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