Reckitt Benckiser sees more sales growth, names chairman for pharma unit

By Martinne Geller LONDON (Reuters) – Consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser reported a rise in sales and forecast further growth this year, despite challenges in emerging markets, and named a new chairman for its declining pharmaceuticals business to help with a strategic review. The company did not say what option it was leaning towards for the business, which centres on the opioid-dependence drug Suboxone, but some analysts took the appointment of drugs industry veteran Howard Pien chairman as a sign it might be preparing for a sale. "The appointment of a chairman of this business might be taken as implying a spin-out is a serious possibility," analysts at Credit Suisse said in a research note. CS values the pharmaceuticals business at about 1.5 billion pounds, or just over 200 pence a share.