GLAXO SMITHKLINE AND ITS PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR

Glaxo Smithkline and the Focus Sector Is the Pharmaceutical Sector

Glaxo Smithkline

GLAXO SMITH KLIEN

GlaxoSmithKline Limited was created on January 1st 2002 through the merger of SmithKline, Beecham Limited and Glaxo Wellcome Limited- standing today as the largest pharmaceutical company (GLAXO SMITH KLIEN, 2007 )

As a leading international pharmaceutical company the company makes a real difference to global healthcare and specifically to the developing world. They believe this is both an ethical imperative and key to business success. Companies that respond sensitively and with commitment by changing their business practices to address such challenges will be the leaders of the future. GSK operates mainly in two industry segments: Pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs and vaccines) and consumer healthcare (over-the-counter- medicines, oral care and nutritional care). (gsk.com 2007)

GSK leads the industry in value, volume and prescription market shares. They are proud of their include Augmentin, Panadol, Seretide, Betnovate, Zantac and Calpol in medicine and renowned consumer healthcare brands include Horlicks, Aquafresh, Macleans and ENO.

In addition, they are also deeply involved with their communities and undertake various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives including working with the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) for whom they were one of the largest corporate donors. They consider it their responsibility to nurture the environment they operate in and persevere to extend our support to their community in every possible way. GSK participates in year round charitable activities which include organizing medical camps, supporting welfare organizations and donating to/sponsoring various developmental concerns and hospitals. Furthermore, GSK maintains strong partnerships with non-government organizations such as Concern for Children, which is also extremely involved in the design, implementation and replication of models for the sustainable development of children with specific emphasis on primary healthcare and education. (zip.com 2008)

HISTORY

1950s Thorazine (chlorpromazine), an anti-psychotic from Smith Kline and French, is introduced. The product will revolutionise the treatment of mental illness during the 1950s and become the product of reference in the first generation of central nervous system drugs.

1952 Smith Kline and French introduces the first time-released medicine, Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate). It is marketed and used in a Spansule - a novel form of drug delivery. Daraprim (pyrimethamine) anti-malarial is developed by Wellcome.

1953 Wellcome launches its antileukaemic drug Purinethol (mercaptopurine).

1958 Glaxo acquires Allen and Hanburys Ltd.

1959 The Wellcome Foundation acquires Cooper, McDougall and Robertson Ltd, an animal health company founded in 1843.

1958-1959 Wellcome launches range of Actifed antihistamine products for head colds and allergies.

1960 Smith Kline and French launches Contac, the cold remedy, using the Spansule to release an initial major therapeutic dose, followed by numerous smaller doses, over 10-12 hours. The company moves into the animal health business with the acquisition of Norden Laboratories.

1963 Betnovate (betamethasone) becomes the first of Glaxo's range of steroid skin disease treatments. In the mid-1960s, Smith Kline and French acquires RIT (Recherche et Industrie Therapeutiques), a vaccines business.

1968 Septrin (co-trimoxazole) anti-bacterial from Wellcome is introduced.

1969 Glaxo launches Ventolin (salbutamol) for asthma, developed at Ware and marketed under the ...