Viatris has decided to exit the consumer health market and has put up for sale an OTC business which is thought to generate around $1.0bn in annual sales.

Haleon is taking back full control of its interests in India by terminating a distribution deal for its OTC and oral care brands signed with Hindustan Unilever in 2020.

By acquiring fellow Italian manufacturer Sofar, Alfasigma expands its consumer health footprint and adds products and expertise in its priority gastrointestinal category.

The trophies have been handed out at the OTC Marketing Awards 2022 - but what did the expert judges have to say about the winning and highly-commended entries?

Winners across 15 categories were announced at the OTC Marketing Awards 2022 on 28 November, with Haleon crowned OTC Company of the Year.

Scientists at Nestlé’s research division think that they have found new bifidobacterium longum strains that have unique ability to utilize both key components of human milk and fibers from solid food, opening up new opportunities for “next generation nutritional solutions” like probiotics targeting the crucial weaning period of child development.

European Consumer health player PharmaSGP is well on the way to achieving new record revenues in 2022, and is working to maintain this upward trajectory over the medium and long term. 

Taisho's Self-Medication business posted a solid gain in the six months ended 30 September as a recovery in its Overseas operation boosted a flat performance in Japan.

While Haleon expects 2022 sales to grow by around 8%, the UK-based consumer health giant faces a more difficult end to the year as it begins to cycle over significant price increases rolled out towards the end of 2021.

The European Commission’s “obvious passivity” with regards to the long-standing botanical health claims deadlock is “illegal and violates the provisions of the EU Health Claims Regulation,” argues the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association, on the basis of a legal opinion provided by former constitutional judge Udo Di Fabio.

In a case that could have far-reaching implications for the region's food supplement manufacturers, the European Court of Justice has ruled that the definition of foods for special medical purposes should be restricted to use in addressing a specific nutrient deficiency related to an illness, as defined by EU law.

Products containing “monograph compliant” ginkgo biloba dry extract as the main active ingredient at recommended doses of 100mg per day should be considered drugs, not dietary supplements, Germany’s federal administrative court has ruled. The decision settles a longstanding dispute between the country’s food regulator and an unnamed company that had applied for registration of such a product.