São Paulo, December 17, 2018
— IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is coordinating a BRL 365 million financing package to support the merger of the businesses of Farmoquimica S.A., a subsidiary of the Argentinean Laboratorios Roemmers, and Divcom S.A., a Brazilian specialist in over the counter (OTC) products based in Recife, in Brazil. The business combination, completed in September 2017, created the FQM group, one of the most diversified pharmaceutical groups in Brazil, focused on branded prescription drugs, OTC medicines and dermatology products.
IFC’s financing package consists of three parts: an 8-year BRL 65.1 million loan for IFC’s own account, a 6-year BRL 31 million loan for IFC’s own account, and the issuance of a 6-year BRL 268.9 million debenture coordinated by Bradesco BBI.
IFC’s investment in the FQM group is helping to expand the availability of OTC quality medicines to patients throughout Brazil, including its poorest regions. Medicines that are sold OTC help reduce pressure on the healthcare system. About 50 to 60 percent of medication used in Brazil are OTC, as opposed to prescription medications. According to the World Health Organization, responsible self-medication use of OTC drugs can provide quick and effective care for simple ailments, and thus reduce the cost of care for many patients as well as reduce the pressure on the healthcare system.
“We are excited to partner with FQM group for IFC’s first investment in the pharmaceutical sector in Brazil. This is part of IFC’s strategy to support efficient pharmaceutical producers, distributors, and retailers which can contribute to the expansion of affordable and accessible quality healthcare in Latin America”, said
Carmen Valéria de Paula, IFC’s Principal Investment Officer for the health and education sectors in South America
. “Generics and OTC medicines are critical to reduce the cost of healthcare, especially in emerging markets”, she added.
In the last ten years, IFC has committed over US$ 1 billion in investments in the health sector in the Latin America and Caribbean region, including both investments for IFC’s own account and mobilized from commercial lenders and the capital markets. Of that amount, US$ 506 millions were invested only in Brazil.
IFC has been investing in Brazil’s private sector since 1957 to address the country’s most critical development challenges, including those of the urbanization, social inclusion, competitiveness and productivity, and management of natural resources.
About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
About FQM GROUP
Founded in 1932 by the Italian doctor Ermínio Vella, FQM is a Rio de Janeiro headquartered pharmaceuticals group that produces and markets prescription drugs, dermocosmetics and nutrition products. FQM portfolio includes more than 90 branded products among several specialties (dermathology, gyno, ENT, pediatrics, orthopedics, cardiology among others). Since FQM was incorporated into Roemmers group in the early 2000s, several successful acquisitions were made including Invictus in 2012, in the symbiotics segment, Melora, in dermacosmetics segment in 2016,and Divcom in the OTC segment in 2017. Divcom, founded in Recife in 2000 is a successful OTC manufacturer and distributor, with a portfolio of dermacosmetics, drugs and food supplements, with very strong brand recognition such as Varicell, Calcitran or Imecap
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