Dabur Pharma Ltd (DPL) announced better performance during its first year of operations after separating from Dabur India Ltd and the board of directors declared maiden equity dividend of 10 per cent for the year ended March 2004.

Its consolidated profit before tax moved up by 16.4 per cent to Rs 18.1 core from Rs 15.5 crore in the previous fiscal. Sales went up by 16.2 per cent to Rs 213.6 crore from Rs 183.8 crore. The consolidated figures also include working of its UK-based subsidiary, Dabur Oncology Plc.

According to company release, the growth figures of DPL have been compared to the figures of the pharmaceutical business of Dabur India for the corresponding last year to make them comparable since DPL was not an independent entity.

Dr Anand Burman, chairman, said "The Board is happy to announce its maiden dividend for DPL, which is now a separate legal entity, in line with our commitment to enhance shareholder value. We would continue to strengthen our position as a global oncology player in coming years.''

Ajay Vij, chief operating office of DPL said that the company has been able to surpass industry growth rates through strategic focus and expansion of its international operations during the year. DPL is already a leader in the Indian oncology space and has significantly expanded its global operations this year. We would be filing our first ANDA in US in fiscal 2004-05, he added.