§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the reasons for the delay in the merger of SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo. [138553]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 16 November 2000]The European Commission approved the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham on 8 May. The US Federal Trade Commission are considering the competition implications of the market in smoking cessation products relating to Glaxo Wellcome's prescription drug Zyban and SmithKline Beecham's over-the-counter products Nicorette and Nicoderm. This is a matter for the US authorities.