P&G BUYS MERCK HEALTH BRANDS FOR $4.2 BILLION

German pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck says it has agreed to sell its global consumer health business to Procter & Gamble for $4.2 billion. The deal means Cincinnatibased Procter & Gamble acquires a business that saw 6% organic sales growth from 2015 to 2017. Merck products include nutritional supplements for pregnant women, cod liver oil capsules and back pain balm.