Hikma prepares return to Libya

Hikma Pharmaceuticals is eyeing a return to normal business in Libya by the end of this year or early next year, as the conflict-hit country stabilises.

Hikma chief executive Said Darwazah said the Jordanian drugs group, which booked a 10.4 per cent rise in sales to $394.8m for the six months to the end of June, had been in contact with the Transitional National Council that is preparing to take over from the Gaddafi regime.

"We have had some discussions about starting to provide them with products," he said. "By the time we receive the confirmed orders, we manufacture and sell the products, it will probably be the end of this year or maybe the first quarter of next year."