P&G Acquires Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany

The Proctor & Gamble Company announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the Consumer Health business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, for a purchase price of approximately EUR 3.4 billion.

The acquisition enables P&G to expand its successful consumer Health Care business by adding a fast-growing portfolio of differentiated, physician-supported brands across a broad geographic footprint. It also provides P&G with strong Health Care commercial and supply capabilities, deep technical mastery and proven consumer Health Care leadership. This will complement P&G’s existing consumer Health Care capabilities and brands such as Vicks, Metamucil, Pepto-Bismol, Crest and Oral-B.

“We like the steady, broad-based growth of the OTC Health Care market and are pleased to add the Consumer Health portfolio and people of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to the P&G family,” said David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.
P&G’s acquisition will improve their OTC geographic scale, brand portfolio and category footprint in the vast majority of the world’s top 15 OTC markets. Many of these brands offer treatment in areas that are currently not in P&G’s portfolio including relieving muscle, joint and back pain, colds and headaches, as well as supporting physical activity and mobility.

“Over the past few years, our Health Care business has delivered consistent growth and strong shareholder value creation“ said Steve Bishop, Group President, Global Health Care. “The Consumer Health business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, brings a strong set of brands, products and capabilities, and provides an attractive and complementary footprint to further fuel growth as we continue to grow our existing leading brands.”