No. 5 and eyeing no. 4

Three years since it was formed by the merger of Ciba Geigy and Sandoz. Novartis Healthcare Phils. now generates the fifth largest revenues in the local pharmaceutical and health case industry.

"We are behind United Laboratories, Glaxo-Smithkline, Pfizer, and Astra Zeneca," said Novartis country manager Leo Marchosky.

"We climbed up to the number five slot last year from number six, beating Roche."

In 2002, the company generated revenues of $50 million, of which $26 million came from pharmaceuticals. Although it has only a 4% share of the local market, the company posted double-digit annual growth in the last three years.

Total investment in the country is 35% to 40% of total revenues during the same period.

"I always tell my people that every year is like a World Cup game where the objective is to score greater than the competition. And when you do, you look at where you are after scoring. You see that there are people who are better than you. The real goal is to grow above the market," said Marchosky.

Key to success

Despite the slow market growth, Novartis intends to strengthen its market position.

"In different countries, the company faces different challenges. But in the Philippines, where the people are highly skilled, I believe that gives the business the strength," he said. "At present, I am trying to do my best to make our 420 employees the best 420 people in the industry.

The company’s orientation towards people is also seen in the community programs that it partners. Novartis recently donated P740,000 worth of medicines and baby foods to Smokey Mountain residents suffering from tuberculosis. The donation was made through a Jesuit organization called Youth With a Mission. .

"The company does not make a count of how much has already been given to the poor. There are just so much people who need medicines and there is no deal between profits and the life of a person," he said.