CRO 'PLIVA' BUILDS PLANT FOR PRODUCTION OF ITS FAMOUS ANTIBIOTIC

ZAGREB, June 10 (Hina) - Croatia's pharmaceutical firm 'Pliva', has finished the construction of a new plant for 'azitromicin'. The plant, built at Savski Marof, near Zagreb, was worth 150 million German marks, its director Zeljko Brebric said. The plant will produce 80 tonnes of azitromicin next year, whereas by 2000 the yearly production will come to 100 tonnes, and later on to 200 tonnes. This antibiotic, found 20 years ago at Pliva research laboratory, has been produced by the Croatian firm since 1982. Between 60 and 70 tonnes are produced every year, and most of this amount is taken by a U.S. firm, 'Pfizer', that sells it on the world market under the name 'Zitromax'. The rest is sold on the Croatian market under the name 'Sumamed'. (hina) mm mš 101410 MET jun 97