IMS Health Buys RMBC Pharm Consultant
IMS Health, the world's second largest research company, after Nielsen, has bought RMBC, the top company on the Russian pharmaceutical consulting market. Thus, for no more than $7 million and maybe as little as $4.5 million (that is, 150-200 percent of RMBC's annual turnover), IMS Health will occupy approximately 40 percent of that market in Russia. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of this month. RMBC, now owned by Remedium, will become part of IMS Health Russia, the American companies local subsidiary.
European market researcher ESOMAR says that the Russian market research market was worth $198 million in 2006, and 2007 is thought to have shown growth of 30 percent. Pharmaceuticals research accounts of about 5 percent of that market. RMBC controls 30 percent of the market, DSM and Pharmexpert occupy 20-25 percent each and IMS Health Russia has a 10-percent share.
RMBC was founded in 1999. Its best-known products are the “Retail Audit of Drugs in the Russian Federation” and “Hospital Audit of Drugs in the Russian Federation.” IMS Health Russia was founded in 1954. It has capitalization on the NYSE of $4.29 billion and had $1.96 billion in sales in 2006. Its Russian subsidiary was opened in 1992. Observers note that IMS Health Russia's data costs 20-30 percent more than information provided by its competitors. They expect RMBC clients to be forced to pay the higher prices as well after the company's sale.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 15, 2008
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