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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Baur and Co to diversify further The pharmaceutical division of A. Baur and Co. Ltd. will diversify into the areas of surgical diagnostics and over the counter medicines (OTC) in the near future. The newly appointed Director of Baurs Pharmaceutical and Chemicals Division, Mahanama Dodampegama said: "Resources of the company can be used to diversify into other related areas as we now deal only with pharmaceuticals." He said that when a family member falls sick, there are many instances where help is needed to find prescribed medicines which may not be freely available. "Therefore, it is necessary to have a place where people can come and get help. I consider it our duty to provide such an information centre making use of modern technology." Plans are now under way to establish a 'Patient Assistance Centre' in a friendly and convenient location in one of the company's buildings facing a main road. This facility will help customers who come to purchase medicines. "Since Baurs is a trusted name, we can use that trust and good name to expand our services into new areas and provide a better healthcare service," he added. Baurs is the agent for Roche, Stiefel, Schering-Plough, ICN, Vifor and Serono. Explaining his views on the quality of drugs they sell, he said: "We will not introduce any product without visiting the factory and ensuring that quality and reliability are maintained at all times". He said the Chemicals Division, which represents Ciba Speciality Chemicals, was well managed. There is a large customer base, especially Board of Investment (BoI) and non-BoI ventures. "The company hopes to increase the customer base through the use of new technology," he added. Mr Dodampegama joined Unical as a medical representative in 1977 and in 1983 joined Hemas Drugs Ltd. as a marketing executive after working for Pfizer, Schering AG and Shering Plough respectively. He was appointed to the Board of Hemas Pharmaceuticals and was appointed Joint Managing Director and Director Hemas Healthcare in 1996. "When I joined Hemas, my vision was to make it the largest healthcare company in the country. I achieved that vision and left Hemas to start my own consultancy firm." "I was invited to join the Board of Baurs to head the divisions of Pharmaceuticals, Dyes and Chemicals. I did not hesitate since it is satisfying to work for a company whose profits are channelled to a trust to help worthy causes," he said. Established in 1897 by Alfred Baur, the company was known as A. Baur The Ceylon Manure Works. It dealt primarily in fertiliser. The company became known as A. Baur and Company in 1928. Ten years later, it was incorporated as a limited liability company. The company has diversified into agro-chemicals, sprayers and agricultural implements, pharmaceutical, veterinary and vitamin products, textile dyes and speciality chemicals, garments, textile machinery, exports, plantations, travel and airlines. Mr Dodampegama was educated at St. John's College, Nugegoda, St. Thomas College, Gurutalawa and Richmond College, Galle. |
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