In the fiscal year ended March 2026, the prescription pharmaceuticals market grew faster than in the corresponding period of the previous year thanks to robust sales of cancer drugs, specialty pharmaceuticals, diabetes medications and herpes zoster vaccines.

In the Group, although sales of COVID-19 related products continued to decline, sales of limited-handling products for selected wholesalers including specialty pharmaceuticals increased. As a result, net sales amounted to 1,553,364 million yen, an increase of 2.3% year-on-year.

On the other hand, operating profit was 16,601 million yen (a decrease of 12.3% year-on-year) and ordinary profit was 16,631 million yen (a decrease of 19.7% year-on-year), affected by factors such as changes in the product mix, rising procurement costs for pharmaceuticals, and increased expenses related to Group reorganization.

Profit attributable to owners of parent was 17,327 million yen (a decrease of 12.7% year-on-year), resulting from the recognition of extraordinary income from the sale of strategic shareholdings, among other factors.

Regarding dividends, in line with our dividend policy set forth in our previous Medium-term Management Plan of "Dividend on Equity ratio (DOE) of 2% or more," the annual dividend for this fiscal year was 165 yen per share, an increase of 100 yen from the previous fiscal year.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, we plan to pay an annual dividend of 180 yen per share, an increase of 15 yen, based on our "Dividend on Equity target of 4% or more" set forth in the new Medium-term Management Plan.

In April this year, we newly formulated the Medium-term Management Plan 2026-2028, "Soaring into the Next Generation," with fiscal 2028 as the final year. We position the period of this Medium-term Management Plan as a "monetization phase" built on the "foundation" for the next generation established during the previous plan. We will implement strategies and measures focused on achieving a discontinuous leap in operating profit through further investment aimed at growth. Along with strengthening the profitability of the pharmaceutical wholesaling business, which is our core business, we will transform into a "Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions Provider" that creates and provides new value to all stakeholders involved in the healthcare business through the rapid expansion of new businesses by actively executing alliances. Through evolution into a value-creating organization led by self-reliant employees who are unafraid of challenges, we will make a powerful leap into the rapidly changing next generation and realize sustainable growth and the enhancement of corporate value over the medium to long term.

 

We look forward to your continued understanding and support.