Merck considers potential sale of consumer health business

Merck has announced that it is considering its options for the future of its consumer health business, with the sale of the division mooted as a possibility.

The company is reviewing its future strategy as part of broader efforts to transition towards becoming more of a science and technology-focused business, with a full or partial sale of the consumer health unit being mulled over, as well as strategic partnerships.

Currently, Merck Consumer Health is running a strong international business, with a number of leading products in key over-the-counter categories. The business achieved net sales of 860 million euros (785.71 million pounds) in 2016, thanks to brands such as Bion, Femibion, Nasivin, Neurobion and Seven Seas.

Belen Garijo, member of the executive board of Merck and chief executive officer of its healthcare division, explained: "We expect increasing internal constraints to fund the business to reach the required scale. Fully anticipating this, we are preparing strategic options."

Merck's transformation over the last few years has seen it complete deals to acquire Sigma-Aldrich, AZ Electronic Materials and Millipore, while it also recently finalised the sale of its biosimilars business.

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