Johnson and Johnson sells brands to Chattem

Following the acquisition of the consumer healthcare business of Pfizer and related to a number of regulatory issues surrounding this transaction, Johnson & Johnson has divested a number of consumer brands to Chattem.

Chattem has acquired the rights to five over-the-counter brands in the US for the sum of $410 million (207.96 million pounds).

These brands include an anti-cavity mouthwash, a sleep aid treatment, hydrocortisone anti-itch product, anti-diarrhoea medication and nappy rash product.

Zan Guerry, chairman and chief executive officer of Chattem, said: “We are very excited to add these leading brands to the company’s existing portfolio of quality products.”

He added that the company had ensured an easy transition of the passing of ownership of these brands to itself, with the assistance of “tremendous cooperation” from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Last month, Johnson & Johnson announced that it had completed its acquisition of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare for $16.6 billion, a deal it claimed would make it the number one consumer healthcare company worldwide.

Following the transaction the company’s product portfolio expanded to include a number of brands, including Listerine oral care products, Nicorette branded nicotine-replacement-therapies and Sudafed cold and flu remedies.