Teva Czech Republic & Slovakia GM Juan Carlos Conde describes how the Czech Republic hosts Teva’s third largest manufacturing site within Europe and the recent implementation of a more efficient cluster organization covering the Czech and Slovakian markets. You became general manager of Teva Pharmaceuticals Czech Republic & Slovakia eight months ago. What have been your priorities since assuming the position of general manager? Teva tends to be mainly associated with generics only; however, we have a much diversified portfolio including advanced generics, innovative treatments, and OTC products. In the past eight months some key developments have happened in the Czech market. One of those was the launch of Copaxone 40mg, the preparation and successful implementation of the launch has taken a long time and was naturally a major priority. The announced acquisition of Actavis (Allergan Generics) was another key development which kept the organization busy. The deal still needs to be closed but we are prepared for a fast and successful integration of our businesses when it happens. We reviewed our whole ‘go-to’ market strategy and created a future strategy in generics. What’s more, as I am also the general manager for Slovakia, we have implemented some structural changes in order to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in both markets. Rather than on a country basis, we now operate as cluster with individual business units. I am not saying that both countries are the same, yet they are similar enough that most challenges can be solved with the same solution. The cluster organization also significantly enhances the level of service quality we can offer; one of many synergies which ultimately brings added value to patients in both markets. The most crucial synergy was the development surrounding talent management. With one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe and a population of only ten million, available talent is sometimes scarce in the Czech Republic. Again, restructuring our organization allowed us to create one talent pool rather than two; Slovaks work very well here and vice versa. All in all, we have created a hub and thus far this was the right move—for patients and for our business!

Our FDA approved manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic is the third largest for Teva in Europe and probably the largest – or one of the largest - in the Czech Republic.