GlaxoSmithKline

Mission Statement: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

While reading the Technician last week I came across an article discussing the resurgence of Swine Flu and was taken aback by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s predictions.  According to an article originally cited from CNN.com 30 to 50 percent of the American population could become infected, causing as many as  1.8 million hospital admissions.  With this in mind I began considering companies in the pharmaceutical industry for my blog focus. After doing some research  GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) became the most logical choice because of it’s production of the H1N1 influenza vaccine, global consumer base, and diversity of products. In addition, they have a clear business strategy and a commitment to aiding those in the lower demographic. Over the course of the semester I will analyze how GSK interacts with its macro environment, discussing topics such as  influenza vaccine production, competition within the industry, and patent laws.  Below is a brief history of GSK and description of its product lines to provide context for later discussion.

Although the corporate entity GlaxoSmithKline is only ten years old, it traces it’s roots back to the 1715 establishment of  the Plough Court Pharmacy in London, England.  During the next 284 years John K. Smith’s drugstore (established in 1830) and Joseph Nathan’s Glaxo dried milk company (established in 1906) would undergo many acquisitions, mergers, and name changes, including the integration of the original Plough Court Pharmacy. On December 6, 1999 Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham merged to form the corporation that exists today. Click for more information on company HISTORY.

One of the top five pharmaceutical firms in the world, GlaxoSmithKline products span the globe with sales in over 150 countries. Although the majority of their sales are in the United States and Europe, the rest of the world accounts for 26 percent of  2008′s TOTAL SALES.Their products are separated into two categories: pharmaceuticals and consumer health care. Pharmaceuticals can then be broken down into eight focus areas: respiratory, central nervous system,  metabolic, cardiovascular and urogenital,  anti-virals, anti-bacterials, oncology and emesis, and vaccines. Common examples  include Flonase, Paxil, and  Valtrex, and vaccines for influenza, hepatitis B, and poliovirus. The consumer health care section also includes a broad range or products such as over the counter medication, dental health products, and nutritional drinks. Examples of these brands include Aquafresh, Abreva, Nicorette, and Tums. Click here for a complete list of GSK PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, VACCINES, and CONSUMER HEALTH CARE products.

Image References: Flonase, Tums, Glaxo, Smith, GSK Logo