The reason for the explosion is still being investigated and the damage assessment is being prepared. Nobody of the 200 staff was injured in the fire, which was put out quickly by the company's own fire brigade.

The Prevalje plant - one of several Lek plants in Slovenia - produces only Amoksiklav antibiotic in the form of tablets and liquid, which is exported to 60 countries and is one of the top selling products of Sandoz, Novarits's generics arm.

Lek, which also manufactures the same product at another location, said after the explosion that it did not expect the supply to be seriously affected by production suspension.