MERCK sigue en OTC...

By Jonathan D. Rockoff

At the start of this year, Merck indicated it might be sell off the consumer health products business it acquired as part of its takeover of Schering-Plough.

“We have to look at it to see what role it could play longer term in a portfolio. Can it be a significant contributor to a company of our size?” Merck CEO Ken Frazier told investors attending the Goldman Sachs Healthcare CEO’s conference.

The pharma giant’s consumer business sells products like Coppertone suntan lotion, Dr. Scholl’s shoe inserts and Claritin over-the-counter allergy medicine. That’s not necessarily a good fit for a company specializing in prescription drugs and animal vaccines. (Ver)