Schering's reports disappointing diagnostic results:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Schering's diagnostic sales fell by 6% to DM1,480 million ($865 million) in 1998, despite increased volume sales. Sales of X-ray contrast media were DM1,084 million, down 5%. This was largely due to government-imposed price cuts in Japan and the weakness of Asian currencies, the German company says. Pricing pressures caused by strong competition led to a 9% fall in sales of MRI contrast media to DM387 million. The Berlin-based company says its echo enhancement agent for ultrasound diagnosis, Levovist, "has still not recorded significant sales".