Dongkook Pharmaceutical(086450) increased both sales and operating profit by double digits in the first half of this year. In addition to steady growth in the pharmaceuticals business, the health and beauty business centered on dermacosmetics is rapidly expanding in overseas markets.
Dongkook Pharmaceutical said on Aug. 14 that on a consolidation basis in the first half of this year, it posted sales of 509.9 billion won and operating profit of 53.4 billion won. Those were up 11.5% and 12.6%, respectively, from a year earlier. Net profit came to 43.6 billion won, up 20.9%.
Growth continued on a separate basis as well. Sales rose 16.7% to 436.5 billion won, and operating profit and net profit increased 23.4% and 32.9% to 47.8 billion won and 40.8 billion won, respectively. The company said higher sales and streamlined selling, general and administrative expenses led to improved profitability.
In the health and beauty business, the overseas expansion of the dermacosmetics brand "Centellian24" stood out. As it widened distribution networks across North America, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia, second-quarter overseas sales jumped 566% from a year earlier.
In the pharmaceuticals business, sales of prescription drugs continued to grow. The Prescription Drug Business Division's second-quarter sales rose 10.5% from a year earlier, and first-half sales increased 9.4%. The cholesterol-lowering drug "Atovan Duo," the osteoarthritis treatment "Celebron," and the anti-ulcer agent "Rabedon" drove the sales increase.
Sales of health functional foods increased more than 40% in the first half from a year earlier. "My Fit" has recorded cumulative sales of about 47 billion won since its launch.