Cost of sales increased slightly by 1.9%, totaling € 161 million in 2013 (2012: € 158 million). Gross profit amounted to € 318 million (2012: € 317 million), remaining at the previous year’s level and leading to a gross margin of 66.7% (2012: 67.0%).
Marketing and selling expenses declined by –2.5% to € 213 million (2012: € 218 million) since activities directed to consumers, pharmacies and health care professionals were focused on higher-return opportunities. Administration expenses dropped by –8.7% to € 18 million (2012: € 20 million) and R&D expenses fell by –12.2% to € 17 million (2012: € 19 million) as the division continued to sharpen the focus of its R&D activities.
The net decline in other operating expenses to € 4 million (2012: € 46 million) was due mainly to the drop in one-time items to € 1 million (2012: € 37 million). Furthermore, impairments of property, plant and equipment as well as intangible assets, which totaled € 11 million in 2012, did not reoccur in 2013. The high level of one-time items in 2012 was attributable to the restructuring measures within the scope of the “Fit for 2018” transformation and growth program.
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