SARS HIKES VITAMIN C PRODUCTION

Manila, May 13, 2003 -- Pharmaceutical companies have jacked up production 
of Vitamin C by 50 percent due to increased demand from health-conscious 
Filipinos following the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 
(SARS).

Carlos Ejercito president of the country's largest pharmaceutical company 
United Laboratories Inc., said the industry has seen consumption increasing 
by 20 percent in recent weeks. Vitamin C strengthens the body's immune system.

However, Ejercito said escalating prices of ascorbic acid, the basic raw 
material in the production of Vitamin C due to the closure of some major 
sources has crippled supply.

Ejercito said prices of raw materials have gone up three times to $12 to 
$15 per kilo from $4.50 per kilo with the shortage of supply the last two 
months. This was because a main supplier Roche, has closed down its plant 
in China while BASF cut back its production.

Ejercito said pharmaceutical companies welcome the move by Trade and 
Secretary Mar Roxas to study the possibility of lowering tariff on ascorbic 
acid but he said this would have a minimal impact as tariffs are now very low.

The prices of Vitamin C now range from a low of P1 to a high of P35 per 
tablet. Unilab is the dominant in Vitamin C for children.