With systematic investments in employee education and training, Lek again among the top ten

  • Concern for career advancement and education of employees in this volatile economic situation is all the more important for further development.
  • In 2010, Lek, a Sandoz company, focused predominantly on education of managers, bringing education closer to a wider circle of associates, engaging in educational courses abroad and intergenerational cooperation.
28. 11. 2011

Lek Pharmaceuticals, a Sandoz company, received the TOP 10 Education Management 2011 award, for the ninth time in a row. At the 11th Education Management Conference held in Portorož, company Planet GV and The Education Management Institute Sofos again chose the ten most successful companies and organisations which in 2010 invested in education and training of employees the most. The award was received by Jasna Kos, Head Learning & Training at Lek, a Sandoz company.

»We are proud to be, for the ninth year in a row, among those Slovenian companies which invest in learning, education and advancement of their employees most intensively and systematically. The knowledge and skills of our associates are namely our most important competitive advantage therefore we strive to continuously strengthen, upgrade and extend them to younger generations. Activities in the field of education and training that develop qualified and motivated employees, will remain one of our priority strategic policies also in the future,« highlighted Jasna Kos, Head Learning & Training at Lek, upon receiving this year’s award.

Lek is a company which is based on knowledge and invests substantially in research and development, therefore the concern for continuous learning, education and advancement of its employees is of key importance for the company’s growth and development. Despite the more restrictive economic situation the funds for education of employees remained at the same level as the year before. The TOP 10 Education Management award means an additional acknowledgement of these efforts and investments in the development of employees. Lek management is aware that only by providing continuous and appropriate organisation of innovative education courses at all levels and in all processes available to all employees it can assure a high level of innovation, growth and ongoing productivity improvement.

Increasing availability of education to all employees

»In 2010, our focus in the field of education of employees was predominantly on education of management, by setting up internal education programs for management and bringing education closer to a wider circle of employees through informal education dedicated to all associates in all locations thus promoting cross-functional cooperation and transfer of knowledge. Being a part of a global company, our employees have the opportunity to engage in education abroad, e.g. in Novartis global education programs or wider afield. As a part of pharmaceutical industry we put a strong emphasis also on education in the field of regulative affairs and quality as well as statutory education,« explained Jasna Kos. Special emphasis was placed on intergenerational collaboration and transfer of knowledge which is being diligently transferred to younger staff by our leading experts.

Apart from Lek, a Sandoz company, the TOP 10 Education Management award was also conferred to: Ernst & Young, Helios, Iskra Mechanisms, Krka, NLB, Unicredit Bank Slovenia, Unija Accountants, the Triglav Insurance Company, and the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia.

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Lek, a Sandoz company, is one of the pillars of leading world generics company Sandoz. Its role within Sandoz is to act as: a global development center for products and technologies; a global manufacturing center for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines; a competence center for the development of vertically integrated products; a Sandoz competence center in the field of development and manufacturing of biosimilar products; and, a supply center for the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South East Europe (SEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and it is responsible for sales on the Slovenian market. For further information please visit http://www.lek.si/eng/.

Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1000 compounds and sells its products in about 130 countries. Key product groups include cardiovascular medicines, anti-infectives, treatments for central nervous system and alimentary tract disorders, oncology and respiratory therapies, as well as medications for blood and blood forming organ disorders. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), and Oriel Therapeutics (US). In 2010, Sandoz employed more than 23,000 people (full-time equivalents) worldwide and achieved net sales of USD 8,5 billion for the full year.

Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.

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This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.

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For further information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications
Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d.
Phone: + 386 1 580 22 43
Fax: + 386 1 580 24 32
communications.lek@sandoz.com