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Bayer Lands Merck Consumer As Springboard to Lead Global OTC Industry

 
• By Malcolm Spicer

The $14.2 billion deal is “a major milestone on our path toward global leadership” in OTC sales, says Bayer Chairman Marijn Dekkers. The acquisition focuses on expanding international sales of Merck products including the Claritin allergy, Coppertone sunscreen and MiraLax constipation lines.

Bayer AG will become the second-largest OTC drug firm and have a springboard to reach No. 1 by paying $14.2 billion for Merck & Co. Inc.’s consumer business with “very powerful household names in North America” that Bayer plans to make popular worldwide, says Chairman Marijn Dekkers.

The agreement announced May 6 comes 14 months after Bayer announced its goal of being the top global OTC firm...

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