Executive Summary

U.S. Consumer Health sales of $399 mil. declined 2% in the second quarter due to competition from private label ranitidine (Zantac 75), the company reports July 24. The figures, which combine Pfizer and Warner-Lambert's consumer health divisions, are the first reported since Pfizer acquired W-L for roughly $90 bil. (1"The Tan Sheet" Feb. 14, p. 5). Six-month U.S. sales of $821 mil. also declined 1.8%. However, Pfizer notes its oral care business performed well. IRI data for the 52 weeks ending June 18 show Listerine sales totaled $301.4 mil. (up 7.4%), while Zantac 75 sales were down 17.1% to $141 mil. Consolidated sales for the quarter totaled $7.04 bil., up 8%