LONDON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc <HILK.L> reported on Thursday adjusted first-half pretax profits of $48.9 million on sales of $299.9 million.

This compared with the average forecast from Reuters estimates for profit of $44 million, and $294.37 million in sales.

The company, based in Jordan and listed in London, said it experienced lower revenues and significant margin erosion in its generics business due to a difficult trading environment.

However, it added the outlook for revenue growth in its branded and injectables businesses in the second half of 2008 remained strong.

Like other makers of generic medicines, Hikma has suffered from intense competition and weak drug prices, particularly in the United States.

Last month the company issued a profits warning for its US generics business, saying trading was below its expectations due to "deteriorating market conditions".

(Reporting by Ben Deighton; editing by Rory Channing) Keywords: hold HIKMA/RESULTS tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com vjt COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior