Thornton & Ross to acquire established GSK Pharmacy brands
- Well known OTC Medicine brands such as antiseptic cream Savlon and emollient brand Oilatum have been acquired by Thornton & Ross
- Thornton & Ross plan to increase investment in these brands, replicating the success it has achieved with other OTC brands, such as Covonia, Hedrin, Cetraben and Flexitol
- Head and Executive Vice President of Thornton & Ross, Roger Scarlett-Smith: “This acquisition shows our continued commitment to the Pharmacy sector.
Huddersfield, June 07, 2019 – Thornton & Ross has expanded its Consumer Health business with a contract to acquire four UK skin care brands, as well as a paediatric cough remedy, from GlaxoSmithKline. Completion of the deal is expected to occur by August 2019.
The brands being acquired from GSK, all of which have the opportunity for revitalisation and accelerated growth, are: Oilatum, an emollient brand currently focused in the paediatric market; heritage antiseptic brand Savlon, which has been a medicine cabinet essential for generations; Eurax, a topical itch relief cream; Polytar, a coal-tar based dandruff shampoo that is a medical treatment for scalp conditions including psoriasis; and Tixylix, a range of paediatric cough liquids.
Following over a decade of consistent growth, this acquisition is a sign of Thornton & Ross’s ongoing commitment to the pharmacy sector and continued ambition to grow further. Thornton & Ross is currently enjoying double-digit growth, partly due to its leading pharmacy business, with brands such Cetraben and Flexitol delivering strong sales results.
Head and Executive Vice President of Thornton & Ross, Roger Scarlett-Smith says: “These acquisitions demonstrate our determination to work with and support the pharmacy sector and our ambition to be the leading company in Consumer Health. Our existing expertise in skincare and cough remedies puts us in a strong position to support and grow these acquisitions. We very much believe that the strong relationship we have in the pharmacy sector is crucial to our ongoing success. We look forward to giving these brands a new home and a bright future.”
Thornton & Ross Ltd is one of the largest OTC pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK and exports to over 80 countries worldwide. Since 2013, it has been part of the German-based STADA Group.