Popping the question
THE drugs industry is one of the world's most regulated, but there is no ban on polygamy amongst its constituent firms. On the contrary, the practice is positively smiled upon. The announcement on January 20th that two firms, SmithKline Beecham (SB) and American Home Products (AHP), were talking about tying the knot has elicited applause from analysts and a surge in the shares of the entire drugs sector (AHP's in particular). The mooted merger would create the world's largest pill-pusher, with $14 billion in combined sales of prescription drugs. Time to crack open the champagne? Perhaps not.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Popping the question”
From the January 24th 1998 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Business
TikTok’s time is up. Can Donald Trump save it?
The imperilled app hopes for help from an old foe
The UFC, Dana White and the rise of bloodsport entertainment
There is more to the mixed-martial-arts impresario than his friendship with Donald Trump
Will Elon Musk scrap his plan to invest in a gigafactory in Mexico?
Donald Trump’s return to the White House may have changed Tesla’s plans
Germany is going nuts for Dubai chocolate
Will the hype last?
The year ahead: a message from the CEO
From the desk of Stew Pidd
One of the biggest energy IPOs in a decade could be around the corner
Venture Global, a large American gas exporter, is going public