Peania, Athens, February 28, 2001 ? The LAVIPHARM Group (LAVI GA) (LPHr.AT) announced a significant increase in its consolidated pre-tax profits for the year 2000, up by 21% compared to 1999. Specifically, consolidated pre-tax profits reached 2.5 billion GrD compared to 2.1 billion GrD in 1999. Group own sales also increased by 21%.The company's pharmaceutical sales increased by 26%, while the market only grew by 18.6% from 1999. Consolidated cosmetic products sales increased by 14% in 2000, compared to a market average increase of 6%.Concerning the performance of Lavipharm S.A., the Group's listed company, own sales grew by 14%, reaching 9.18 billion GrD. The increase is mainly attributed to the 29% growth in exports of transdermal technology products, developed in-house by Lavipharm's Research and Development. Exports in 2000 exceeded 63% of own sales compared to 56% in the corresponding fiscal period in 1999.Lavipharm Alliance Sante (LAS), a subsidiary of the Group, posted an increase in sales by 27%, exceeding 34 billion GrD. LAS is the largest wholesaler and logistic service provider in Greece, with a market share exceeding 10%.Sales of the Group's subsidiary, Lavipharm Hellas, realized an increase of 19% in 2000. The establishment of the Consumer Health Department together with the important expansion of the portfolio of OTC products (non-prescription pharmaceutical products) and Dermocosmetics, are expected to give a new boost to the company's sales in 2001.The decrease at 16.7% in distribution expenses as a percentage of own sales, compared to 18.1% in 1999, is attributed to the Group's organizational restructuring, which commenced during the last quarter of 2000 and continues in the current year.The new development program, which aims to further strengthen the Group in Greece, is based on three axes: in the Pharmaceutical Sector, the Consumer Health Sector (which includes the departments of OTC and Dermocosmetic products) and the Services Sector (Wholesaler/Logistics and production for third parties).Lavipharm is the largest integrated pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and distribution company in Greece. The company places great emphasis on Research and Development, housed in Lavipharm Laboratories in the USA, also driving international activities.For more information, please contact: Mr. Theodore Gitzos, at Lavipharm S.A. tel (301) 669-1130, fax (301) 664-2310, or contact our international investor relations representative, Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President at Capital Link, Inc. in New York, (212) 661-7566; fax to (212) 6611-7526. This and additional information can also be accessed in Lavipharm's website www.lavipharm.gr or in Capital Link's website www.capitallink.com.