Nielsen Buys Czech Pharma Specialist AMAR

Nielsen has signed an agreement to acquire pharma retail trade specialist AMAR Research, headquartered in Brno, the Czech Republic's second largest city. Terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition will enable Nielsen to enhance its existing market tracking capabilities for manufacturer clients and expand its geographical coverage of the pharmacy retail channel.

'This acquisition is a key part of our plans to focus on the pharmacy sector in Europe,' explained Patrick Dodd, President, Nielsen Europe. 'It adds to our growing focus in this area, and ensures Nielsen is ideally placed to help our retail and manufacturer clients optimise their opportunities.'

Founded in 1994, AMAR Research offers market research, panel surveys, and ad hoc work to pharma and FMCG manufacturers from its operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Poland. Working with chain and independent pharmacy retailers, the company delivers marketing and sales information for in-store assessment.

MD Michal Sikula said that the agreement will ensure his firm's business continues to grow, while helping Nielsen develop a stronger pharmacy focus in Central Europe.

Web sites: www.nielsen.com and www.amar.cz .

Nielsen's other health sector moves in 2008 have included partnerships with phama business intelligence firm Wolters Kluwer Health and health, wellness and sustainability researcher Natural Marketing Institute, and the launch of a series of 32 'Ailment Panels'.