Schering-Plough
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
MiraLAX laxative launched in February helped drive Consumer Health Care third-quarter sales up 5% to $273 mil., Schering-Plough reports during Oct. 22 analyst call. The brand is second in its category in the U.S. with a 7% market share, the firm says. Trailing market leader Metamucil in the laxative/stimulant segment, MiraLAX had dollar sales of $12.1 mil. in food, drug and mass retailers for the 13 weeks ended Sept. 30, according to IRI data. MiraLAX was the first Rx-to-OTC switch in the laxatives category in over 30 years (1"The Tan Sheet" Dec. 11, 2006, p. 7). Also driving growth was Claritin (loratadine) with sales up 9% to $104 mil. OTC sales grew 17% to $162 mil., offset by a 33% decline in sun care sales. Adjusted net revenues increased 12% to $3.5 bil. and profit was $713 mil...