Pfizer acquires low-dose aspirin brand in Poland

NEW YORK — Pfizer on Monday announced that a wholly-owned Polish subsidiary of Pfizer has acquired the rights to Polocard, a low-dose aspirin (acidum acetylsalicylicum), and the leading over-the-counter brand for heart attack prevention in Poland, from ZF Polpharma SA.

"Polocard is a top OTC brand in Poland, and its acquisition will enhance our Consumer Healthcare portfolio and overall position in this key market," said Paul Sturman, president, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. "We continue to focus on strategic opportunities that will expand our portfolio of leading brands, develop capabilities in high-growth categories and extend our global reach."

The acquisition of Polocard marks the latest of several investments by Pfizer in its Consumer Healthcare business over the last 24 months. Other notable transactions include the exclusive global license agreement with AstraZeneca for the OTC rights for Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) and the acquisitions of Alacer, maker and distributor of Emergen-C products, one of the largest-selling branded Vitamin C lines in the United States, and Ferrosan's Consumer Healthcare business, which broadened the unit's dietary supplements portfolio as well as its geographic footprint in the Nordics, Russia and Central and Eastern Europe.

The financial terms of the Polocard deal were not disclosed.