Bayer's retreat from the global, primary-care stage into the mid-sized, regionally-focused specialist player arena was forced upon it by its own particular set of challenges. But other drug firms facing similar issues should take note: globalism may not be the best way forward in today's environment.

While endocrine-disrupting evidence was inconclusive, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety recommends more conservative limits on use of homosalate, octocrylene and benzophenone-3 in cosmetic products compared with current requirements under the European Cosmetics Product Regulation.