Partnership between Celesio and Panfarma sealed / Federal Minister of Economics Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: "Clear signal for growth"

Vitoria, Brazil (ots) -

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Yesterday, on Sunday 30 August, the partnership between Celesio
and Panfarma was sealed in a joint communiqué in the presence of the
German and the Brazilian Ministers of Economics, Karl-Theodor zu
Guttenberg and Miguel Jorge.

Celesio's CEO Fritz Oesterle and the Chairman of the Supervisory
Board at Panfarma, Paulo Panarello, signed the cooperation document
between one of the leading trading companies and service providers
within the pharmaceutical market worldwide and the number one in
Brazilian pharmaceutical wholesale.

Fritz Oesterle said, "We are now extending the excellent
relationship between Germany and Brazil to the pharmaceutical
wholesale market. Due to its rapidly growing pharmaceutical market
and its liberal market conditions, Brazil is highly attractive to
Celesio. And here, in the Brazilian market, Panfarma as the market
leader is clearly our ideal choice."

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg welcomes this new bilateral
partnership. "I'm delighted that in times of this global financial
and economic crisis a clear signal for growth is set", the German
Minister of Economics stated.

Paulo Panarello is confident that "the partnership between Celesio
and Panfarma stands for a positive future for the provision of
medicines in Brazil. With joint opportunities and Celesio's
experience, Panfarma will be ideally equipped to extend its market
position."

The Brazilian Minister of Economics, Miguel Jorge, likewise
welcomed Celesio's commitment to the Brazilian market and emphasised
the importance of this bilateral partnership.

About Celesio Group:

Celesio is one of the leading trading companies and service
providers within the pharmaceutical market worldwide. The group is
active in 28 countries and employs more than 45,000 people in its
three divisions Patient and Consumer Solutions, Pharmacy Solutions
and Manufacturer Solutions. Over 2,300 of Celesio's own pharmacies,
as part of Patient and Consumer Solutions, serve over 550,000
customers in seven countries every day. In its wholesale activities,
which are part of Pharmacy Solutions, around 140 wholesale branches
worldwide deliver to over 65,000 pharmacies - day in, day out. In the
Manufacturer Solutions division, Celesio offers pharmaceutical
manufacturers logistics and distribution solutions and supports them
in sales and marketing.

Originaltext: Celesio AG
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ISIN: DE000CLS1001

Press contact:
Rainer Berghausen, Celesio AG, +49 (0)711.5001-549 media@celesio.com