Brendan O'Brien: I would like to see Pfizer at no. 1 on the Romanian market

"I have great respect for Romanians who managed to overcome obstacles facing them over the centuries," says Brendan O'Brien, 44, head of the local subsidiary of the world's biggest drug manufacturer Pfizer, in his first interview to the Romanian press.

American O'Brien, who admits he has studied European history, came to the helm of Pfizer Romania at the beginning of this year and estimates integration of Wyeth, a company acquired at international level, could be completed by the end of 2010.

"Our target is to complete integration by the end of this year, have a clear picture of how we will be operating. I think Romastru (distributor of Wyeth products i.e.) and Pfizer will continue to work together, but we are now deciding how," said Brendan O'Brien, country manager of Pfizer Romania, in his first interview since taking over the position in January this year.

Last year Pfizer, the world's biggest drug manufacturer, took over rival Wyeth in a 68 billion-dollar transaction. In Romania the integration of the two companies' operations is special in that Wyeth does not have its own Romanian office, with its products being distributed by Romastru trading, which also conducted promotional and marketing operations.

In 2009 Pfizer (Wyeth included) ranked third on the Romanian pharmaceutical market with a 532.1 million-RON (122.6 million-euro) turnover and a 6.6% market share, according to data of market research and surveys Cegedim.

"I would like to see Pfizer at no. 1 in Romania within the next three years," O'Brien when ZF asked if his target was to make the company no. 1.