Over the last sixteen years, Mr. Čović has occupied the leading position in the biggest pharmaceutical company in Croatia. His commitment and rich managerial experience significantly contributed to PLIVA's positioning on the global pharmaceutical market and its leading position in the region. As President of the National Competitiveness Council, he also greatly contributed to the establishment of a modern and competitive economic climate in Croatia.
 
"Over my almost 26-year service with PLIVA, I had an opportunity to lead the company through a very complex and demanding process of transformation and privatization and its listing on the London and Zagreb Stock Exchanges, as well as to participate in its development from a local to a globally recognized company. For me, this has been an invaluable professional and personal experience of which I am exceptionally proud. I wish lots of success to teams who will lead the process of PLIVA’s integration into the biggest global generic pharmaceutical company, hoping that this process will be as quick and efficient as possible", said Mr. Čović.
 
At the same meeting, the Supervisory Board of PLIVA d.d.  passed a resolution on the appointment of Mr.  Matko Bolanča as President of the Management Board, and Mr. Theo Andreissen as member of the Management Board of PLIVA d.d., both effective January 1, 2009.
 
On that occasion, Fred Killion, President of the Supervisory Board of PLIVA d.d., said: "We would like to thank Mr. Čović for his tremendous efforts and commitment and wish him great success in his future career. We also wish great success to the newly appointed Management Board in their future work."
For Croatian media, please contact:

Tamara Pećarević Sušanj
Director
Communications
Tel: + 385  1 6120 863
Fax: + 385 1 6160 358
E-mail: tamara.pecarevic@pliva.hr

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the Group's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "planned", "expectations", "forecast" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of new products expected to be introduced or have been introduced by the Group companies and anticipated customer demand for such products. Such statements reflect the current views of the Group with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from any future results that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.