GlaxoSmithKline is committing to its consumer health business in the coming years by creating a new global switch and strategy position.

George Quesnelle, who served as president of GSK's North American Consumer Healthcare business since January 2004, will take on the new position of senior VP for global switch and strategic growth projects at the Consumer Healthcare Division.

Roger Scarlett-Smith will succeed Quesnelle in heading the North American consumer business, the company said.

Scarlett-Smith joined Glaxo in 1984 and most recently served as the general manager and VP of GSK's Consumer Healthcare division in the U.K. Before that he led the Consumer Healthcare business in Australia and New Zealand.

CEO Andrew Witty, who took over for Jean-Pierre Garnier May 22, has touted the strength of the company's consumer business and executives have stressed its importance in emerging markets (¹ Also see "Under New CEO, Glaxo Will Leverage OTCs In Emerging Markets" - Pink Sheet, 5 May, 2008., p. 5).

GSK has several potential switches in its pipeline, and has partnered in the past on applications, most recently on Merck's third failed attempt to bring the statin Mevacor OTC.

One potential in-house switch is GSK's prescription triglyceride-lowering therapy Lovaza . Glaxo acquired the omega-3 acid ethyl ester product, formerly known as Omacor when it bought Liberty Corner, N.J.-based Reliant Pharmaceuticals' cardiovascular drug portfolio for $1.65 billion in November.

Morgan Stanley analysts have cited Lovaza as a future switch opportunity. However, GSK did not comment on its switch potential, and some patents for the drug extend through 2018.

The firm's migraine drug Imitrex has been frequently mentioned as a potential switch as well, and is available behind the counter in the U.K. The Morgan Stanley report gives Imitrex a fair chance of switching by 2012 (² 'The Tan Sheet' Nov. 26, 2007, In Brief).

- Elizabeth Crawford (e.crawford@elsevier.com)

New GSK Global Switch/Strategy Position Supports Firm’s OTC Commitment

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