Lonely At The Top? Not In OTC Sector As Bayer, GSK/Novartis Challenge J&J

Bayer closes its acquisition of Merck & Co.’s consumer business, aiming to become the top OTC player and saying other consumer product acquisitions could follow. Glaxo and Novartis look to close their agreement to combine their OTC businesses in the first half of 2015.

Returning recalled brands to stores might not be enough to keep Johnson & Johnson atop the OTC market as Bayer AG closes the deal making it No. 2, with eyes on the global lead, and GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Novartis AG look within nine months to launch their JV with market-leading potential.

Bayer on Oct. 1 closed its acquisition of Merck & Co. Inc.’s consumer care business following receipt of antitrust...