We were shocked today to read that the owner of both Ratiopharm, one of Europe’s largest generics companies and Phoenix PharmaHandel, Europe’s 2nd largest drug distributor, has committed suicide as a result of having lost billions of euros on the stock markets. Despite his great fortune, the losses on his recent bets in VW shares proved too great to salvage and led to this event.

Mr. Merckle’s success at developing the generics market can only be admired, helping to lower the cost of medicines for millions of people and increasing awareness about generics in general.  Our condolences go out to the Merckle family and the employees of Ratiopharm and Phoenix PharmaHandel.