Bayer Consumer Care head to retire

Bayer has announced the imminent retirement of the head of its consumer care division Gary Balkema.

Mr Balkema is to step down from his position at the company as of April 1st 2011, with a successor set to be announced at some point in the near future.

His retirement comes as part of a wider set of changes to the administrative personnel and structure of the Bayer group's HealthCare division, as the company looks to improve its efficiency and decision-making.

The announcement coincides with the confirmation of the retirement of Dr Ulrich Kostlin, member of the board of management of Bayer Schering Pharma, who will depart the organisation on June 30th 2011.

Dr Jorg Reinhardt, chairman of Bayer HealthCare's board of management, said: "I would like to thank Mr Balkema and Mr Kostlin for their many years of successful work in the healthcare area and wish them both all the best for the future."

The Bayer Consumer Care division is responsible for some of the UK's leading pharmacy product brands, including Alka-Seltzer, Canesten and Sanatogen.