SmithKline Beecham switch candidates
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
In addition to the H[2] antagonist cimeditine (Tagamet) and the smoking cessation aids Nicorette and Nicoderm from the 1992 joint venture with Marion Merrell Dow, SmithKline Beecham identifies the topical antibiotic Bactroban (mupirocin 2% ointment) as another Rx-to-OTC switch candidate in the company's 1993 annual report, In 1993, SmithKline Beecham's worldwide consumer health care business posted a 12% sales increase to nearly $2 bil., with trading profit increasing 9% to $245 mil. SmithKline's U.S. consumer health care sales of $684 mil. in 1993, which for the first time includes full-year sales from MMD's OTCs, accounted for 34% of the firm's worldwide consumer health care sales, up from 25% in 1992