J&J acquires Russian OTC medicines for $260 million

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) agreed to buy several over-the-counter medicines sold in Russia from J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (JBCH.NS) for about $260 million as it expands into emerging markets.

The brands included in the acquisition are Rinza, Russia's leading multi-symptom cough and cold brand, and Doktor Mom, Russia's No. 2 cough brand, J&J said in announcing the deal on Monday. Russia is the world's eighth-largest OTC market, J&J said.

The deal is expected to close by the middle of the year.

J&J's large consumer medicines business, whose products include the popular Tylenol brand, has been under fire in the United States due to continued recalls stemming from manufacturing problems.

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; editing by John Wallace)