Reckitt Benckiser, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cleaning products, with operations in over 180 countries, reaches the U. S. pharmaceutical market. The British producer Reckitt Benckiser announced on Monday its bidding for Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, for the price of $2.3 billion (approximately £1.1 billion). This announcement follows the acquisition of Boots Healthcare International for approximately £1.9 billion and marks Reckitt Benckiser’s on-growing transformation in the health and care division.

The British producer wishes to step into the U. S. OTC market, the largest market of its kind in the world, and expects immediate revenue, except for the $60 million restructuring charge: "The growth potential of the business, the importance of gaining an entry in the USA healthcare market, and the synergies available make Adams a very attractive addition to our portfolio," Bart Becht, Reckitt Benckiser’s Chief Executive said. “We have already shown with the acquisition of BHI that we can generate shareholder value in consumer healthcare. We believe Adams represents another attractive opportunity for our shareholders” he added.

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics has shown an amazing growth in sales for the last four years, going from $14 million in 2003 to $332 in June 2007, so this looks like an intelligent move from Benckiser, who was best known for its household cleaning products, like Cillit Bang or Lysol, or for its beauty care products, such as hair remover cream Veet.

The first step on the U. S. market for Benckiser means full access to Adams’ main products, Mucinex, an expectorant drug used in treating respiratory tract infections, and Delsym, the cough suppressant that contains an active ingredient that is time-released. These products will be associated with Benckiser’s own brands such as Strepsils and Nurofen, already known on the healthcare market.