MENTHOLATUM PICKING UP 11 OTC PRODUCTS FROM STERLING

MENTHOLATUM PICKING UP 11 OTC PRODUCTS FROM STERLING, the two firms announced Sept. 17. Sterling said the sale of trademark rights and inventories of the products "is consistent with Sterling's announced policy to concentrate on businesses and product lines in which it has substantial market positions and which fit best with the company's long-term goals." The drugs involved in the sae include several laxatives such as Fletcher's Castoria, the pain reliever Cope, Caroid tooth powder, Medi-Quik first-aid spray, Cremalin antacid tabs and Fizrin analgesic-antacid. Sterling will send letters to the trade announcing the sale after completion of the transaction, which the company said is scheduled for early October. Sterling also recently agreed to sell its Givenchy fragrance unit to Paris-based Givenchy, S.A. Sterling will continue to produce the products for two years, at which time Mentholatum will take over production. The purchase from Sterling will double Mentholatum's OTC line to 22 in terms of number of products. The Buffalo, N.Y.-based firm currently markets 11 OTC products, including the Mentholatum line, Resicort Cream and Resinol Ointment.