P&G completes €3.4bn acquisition of Merck’s consumer health business

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US consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has wrapped up its previously announced €3.4 billion acquisition of the consumer health business of German pharma company Merck.

Procter & Gamble said that the acquisition will enhance its OTC geographic scale, brand portfolio and category presence in the vast majority of the top 15 OTC markets in the world.

The new brands added as part of the deal offer a wide range of OTC products to relieve muscle, joint and back pain, colds and headaches. Also products for supporting physical activity and mobility have been acquired from Merck by Procter & Gamble.

The US consumer goods company said that the acquisition also gives it strong health care commercial and supply capabilities, proven consumer health care leadership and deep technical mastery that will support its existing consumer health care capabilities and brands.

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As a result of the acquisition, the combined entity will gain an expanded position in the largest, fastest-growing segments in the consumer health market, said Procter & Gamble.

Some of Merck's consumer health brands.

Some of Merck’s consumer health brands. Photo: Business Wire

The US consumer goods company said that Uta Kemmerich-Keil, the former President and CEO of the former Merck Consumer Health business will be joining it as leader of Procter & Gamble Personal Healthcare International.

According to Procter & Gamble, the organization includes the newly combined OTC health care businesses across Europe, Latin America, and Asia/IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa).

Commenting on P&G acquisition of Merck consumer health business, Tom Finn – President, P&G Global Personal Health Care, said: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new era for P&G Personal Health Care, as we now move forward to realize the great potential of our combined businesses.

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“In bringing Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Consumer Health into P&G, we have created a new health care organization that is well-positioned to enable consumers to live longer, healthier and more vibrant lives as well as drive further sales and profit growth for P&G.

“We are pleased to welcome the strong leadership of Uta Kemmerich-Keil into the P&G family, along with the thousands of talented people of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Consumer Health who are transferring to P&G.”

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The transaction was announced in April 2018. Merck took up the sale of its consumer health business to bring down its debt and increase its focus on healthcare, life science and performance materials.

Belen Garijo – Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO of Merck Healthcare, commenting on P&G acquisition of Merck consumer health business, said:  “P&G’s global scale and strategic interest in the health and well-being of consumers provide an excellent basis for growth and expansion, and we wish our colleagues all the best for the future,” said Belén Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and CEO Healthcare.

“This transaction marks a further step in our company’s strategic focus on science and technology.”

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