GSK puts 19 brands up for sale

GlaxoSmithKline has announced plans to sell off 19 brands from its non-core over the counter business in order to focus on its "priority brands" in the Consumer Healthcare business.

Zantac: GSK brand goes up for sale
Zantac: GSK brand goes up for sale

will sell a range of brands with sales of more than £5m per annum, including Nytol and FiberChoice, a dietary supplement.

GSK has said that certain brands have "lacked focus" due to other global priorities and says that other companies would be able to "maximise the potential they offer".

GSK plans to focus its Consumer Healthcare business on the oral health, wellness (OTC) and nutrition categories, which includes brands Sensodyne, Panadol and Horlicks.

GSK aims for the re-focused business to lead the market in the smoking control, denture care, dental sensitivity, analgesics and nutrition categories.

Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK, said:  "Consumer Healthcare is a key growth driver for GSK.  But it is important that we focus this business around product categories, brands and markets where we have most depth and competitive advantage, with the best prospects for strong growth. 

"This divestment is also an example of our commitment to focus on realising value and enhancing returns to shareholders."

This week GlaxoSmithKline's consumer healthcare division signed a 12-month sponsorship deal with Cineworld Cinemas to promote its Aquafresh Children's toothpaste.

The 19 brands planned to be divested by the end of the year, are:

  1. Abtei, vitamins, minerals and supplements
  2. Alli, weight management
  3. Beano, gastro-intestinal
  4. BC, analgesic
  5. Beconase, respiratory
  6. Debrox, ear wax cleanser
  7. Dequadin, cough/cold
  8. Ecotrin, analgesics
  9. FiberChoice, dietary supplement
  10. Goody’s, analgesics
  11. Granufink, urological
  12. Lactacyd, feminine hygiene
  13. Libenar, respiratory
  14. Nytol, sleep aid
  15. Phillips MOM, gastro-intestinal
  16. Solpadeine, analgesics
  17. Tagamet/Stomedine, gastro-intestinal
  18. Valda, cough/cold supplement
  19. Zantac OTC, gastro-intestinal

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Advertising Intelligence Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content