Fakoyejo Olalekan
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria said it will cease operations in the country and pay off its shareholders after receiving approval from the Securities and Exchange Limited (SEC).
In a statement sent to the stock market authority, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), it was revealed that GSK Nigeria is shutting down because GSK UK has terminated its vaccines and medicines distribution contract with the former.
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GSK Nigeria said GSK UK has handed the vaccines and medicines distribution contract to another local distributor, thereby, leaving the company with no business to run.
The firm, which is one of Nigeria’s largest pharmaceutical companies, said it will approach SEC to commence the shutdown of its operation and also pay off shareholders of GSK Nigeria.
“In our published Q2 results we disclosed that the GSK UK Group has informed GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria PLC of its strategic intent to cease commercialization of its prescription medicines and vaccines in Nigeria through the GSK local operating companies and transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.
“The Haleon Group has also separately informed the Board of its intent to terminate its distribution agreement in the coming months and to appoint a third-party distributor in Nigeria for the supply of its consumer healthcare products.
“For the above reasons, and having, together with GSK UK, evaluated various other options, the Board of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc has concluded that there is no alternative but to cease operations.
“Today we are briefing our employees whom we will treat fairly, respectfully and with care, meeting all applicable legal and consultation requirements.
“The Board is conscious that shareholders will have many questions; we have been working assiduously with our professional advisors to agree on next steps and we will be shortly submitting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a draft Scheme of Arrangement which may, if approved, see shareholders other than GSK UK, receive an accelerated cash distribution and return of capital.
“The Board acknowledges the support of the GSK Group in its intentions to make this possible, full details of which we hope to publish shortly. In the meantime, however, we cannot give you assurance of the final terms of any scheme, or that any scheme will be approved by the SEC or by shareholders.
“Shareholders are advised to seek professional advice and continue to exercise caution when dealing in the company’s shares until a further announcement is made,” the statement reads.
