GSK transitions to Haleon in Kenya, expands local operations

KENYA – Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry has officially entered a new phase as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) transitions to Haleon Kenya Limited, marking the end of GSK’s direct operations in the country.

Haleon, a spin-off focused on consumer health products, now fully manages brands like Panadol, Sensodyne, and Centrum vitamins.

The legal name change took effect on March 14, 2025, solidifying Haleon’s position as an independent company.

Haleon was created in July 2022, when GSK separated its consumer healthcare business, initially retaining a stake in the new entity.

However, GSK has since sold all its shares in Haleon and completely exited Kenya in 2023 as part of a global restructuring strategy.

Haleon strengthens local manufacturing

Following GSK’s exit, Haleon has taken over the company’s former manufacturing facility on Likoni Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.

The plant has since expanded, producing key consumer health brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Eno, and Scott’s Emulsion. It also serves as a regional hub, supplying seven East African markets and South Africa.

Haleon’s general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mark Pfister, emphasized the company’s commitment to Kenya.

“This transition is more than a name change; it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to delivering high-quality, science-led health solutions tailored for Kenyan consumers,” Pfister said.

“We are also expanding our local manufacturing capabilities, ensuring greater accessibility to essential health products while maintaining the highest quality standards for the betterment of Kenya.”

Branding changes in progress

As part of the transition, Haleon is gradually phasing out the GSK logo from its product packaging. Consumers may notice different branding on shelves during this shift.

“As we transition from GSK to Haleon, the packaging artwork on products will gradually evolve—from featuring the GSK logo to no logo, and eventually to the Haleon logo,” Pfister explained.

“Consumers may notice branding differences across various assets or even among different packages of the same product on shelves.”

When GSK announced its consumer business demerger in 2022, it described the move as its most significant corporate change in 20 years. The company’s new focus is purely on pharmaceuticals, prioritizing investment in innovative and specialty medicines.

In 2023, GSK ended its direct marketing of medicines to healthcare professionals in 29 sub-Saharan African markets, including Kenya.

Instead, it has adopted a distributor-led model, ensuring its medicines and vaccines remain available through third-party distributors.

Pfizer to sell its entire stake in Haleon

In a separate but related development, Pfizer has decided to sell its 32% ownership in Haleon, which it originally acquired when the company was formed as a joint venture with GSK.

The sale, which will be done in phases, is expected to free up billions of dollars for Pfizer. The company has been facing revenue challenges due to declining sales of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.