GlaxoSmithKline has resumed the hunt for a buyer for the European slice of its non-core drugs portfolio, with buyout firms and rival drug companies in the running to cherry pick consumer health brands, people with knowledge of the process said.

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline today said sales of its Lucozade drink slumped 12% as it announced lower quarterly profits amid slumping US performance.

PHARMACEUTICAL giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) yesterday signalled its desire to become the first company to sell controversial diet drugs without prescription.

A PHARMACEUTICAL company hopes to begin selling this year a fat-blocking pill directly to millions of overweight Americans who now only have access to a prescription version.