Perrigo

Corporate brand

Perrigo is a multinational healthcare company specializing in private-label consumer health products, generic medicines, and self-care brands.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Perrigo Company plc is a healthcare manufacturer and branded self-care business with origins in Allegan, Michigan. Founded in 1887 by brothers Luther and Charles Perrigo as a general store, the company developed from a supplier of inexpensive store-brand remedies into a multinational producer and marketer of over-the-counter medicines, generic prescription products, nutritional products, consumer wellness goods, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its historical business model has emphasized supplying retailers and pharmacies with private-label products that are sold under store brands, while acquisitions have progressively expanded Perrigo's geographic reach, therapeutic coverage, and portfolio of recognized consumer healthcare brands. The company entered the public markets with an initial public offering on Nasdaq in 1991. Its international expansion accelerated through acquisitions, including Galpharm Healthcare in the United Kingdom, Orion Laboratories in Australia and New Zealand, PBM Holdings in infant nutrition, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals in specialty and generic oral liquids, and Omega Pharma in Belgium. The 2005 acquisition of Israel-based Agis Industries was particularly important in establishing Perrigo as a broader generic pharmaceuticals company. Mori Arkin, who had built Agis from his family's drug-import business, became a major shareholder and vice chairman after the transaction. Perrigo's corporate structure changed substantially through its 2013 acquisition of Irish pharmaceutical company Elan Corporation. The transaction enabled Perrigo to become Irish-registered for tax purposes, while its principal executive and operational presence remained in Michigan. The reorganization was widely discussed as a corporate tax inversion because most of the company's sales were generated through the United States healthcare system. The structure later became the subject of a major dispute with the Irish Revenue Commissioners concerning capital-gains tax associated with Elan's sale of its interest in the Tysabri multiple-sclerosis medicine before Perrigo acquired Elan. In 2015, Perrigo rejected an unsolicited acquisition proposal from Mylan valued at approximately $29 billion. The episode became one of the defining strategic contests in the company's history and was followed by investor litigation alleging that statements made during the bid influenced shareholders. Perrigo subsequently experienced leadership changes and continued to reshape its portfolio. It sold its generic pharmaceuticals business to Altaris Capital Partners in 2021, reflecting a strategy to concentrate more heavily on consumer self-care and branded healthcare. The acquisition of HRA Pharma, completed in 2022, strengthened this focus by adding consumer products in women's health, emergency contraception, and other self-care categories. Perrigo currently operates across consumer self-care and pharmaceutical activities. Its product categories include pain relief, cough and cold, allergy and sinus care, gastrointestinal remedies, smoking cessation, first aid, antacids, feminine care, vitamins and supplements, oral care, dermatological products, and other wellness products. The company also manufactures products for retailers and pharmacies that are sold under private labels, making it an important behind-the-scenes supplier in consumer healthcare. Its branded portfolio includes products developed or acquired through international consumer-health businesses, including HRA Pharma. The company moved its corporate headquarters from Allegan to downtown Grand Rapids in June 2022, while retaining manufacturing and other operations at the Allegan campus. In 2023, HRA Pharma received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for Opill, a progestin-only oral contraceptive that became the first nonprescription daily birth-control pill approved for sale in the United States. The approval represented a major milestone for Perrigo's consumer-health strategy and expanded its role in accessible women's healthcare. Perrigo remains legally associated with Ireland while maintaining substantial American operations and a business model centered on accessible self-care, private-label manufacturing, and selected consumer healthcare brands.

History

Perrigo began in 1887 in Allegan, Michigan, where Luther and Charles Perrigo operated a general store. The business gradually developed around supplying affordable medicinal products and eventually became a major manufacturer of store-brand healthcare goods. Its private-label model allowed retailers and pharmacies to market medicines under their own names while relying on Perrigo for formulation, manufacturing, packaging, and regulatory support. The company went public on Nasdaq in 1991. During the 2000s, it expanded beyond its original American base through a sequence of acquisitions. In 2005 it bought Agis Industries, an Israel-based generic pharmaceutical company founded and developed by Mori Arkin. The transaction added generic drug capabilities and gave Arkin a significant stake in Perrigo, along with a vice-chairmanship. Perrigo then acquired businesses in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, infant nutrition, pediatric care, feminine hygiene, and other consumer categories. Among the notable transactions were Galpharm Healthcare in 2008, Orion Laboratories in 2010, PBM Holdings in 2010, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals in 2013, and the assets of Sergeant's Pet Care Products as Perrigo explored animal wellness. Rosemont strengthened the company's specialty and generic oral-liquid business. The 2013 acquisition of Elan Corporation was strategically and financially consequential. Elan was headquartered in Ireland, and the transaction allowed Perrigo to reincorporate there for tax purposes while retaining its principal executive base and major operational presence in Michigan. The arrangement was criticized as a tax inversion because the majority of Perrigo's sales were connected to the United States. Perrigo's strategic independence was tested in 2015 when Mylan made an unsolicited offer worth approximately $29 billion. Perrigo rejected the proposal, and shareholders did not approve the combination. Joseph Papa, who had led the response to the bid, later left Perrigo to become chief executive of Valeant. John Hendrickson then assumed expanded leadership responsibilities. He was followed by Uwe Roehrhoff and, later in 2018, Murray S. Kessler. The tax structure created through Elan became the focus of a major Irish dispute in December 2018. The Irish Revenue Commissioners asserted that Perrigo owed approximately €1.64 billion in capital-gains tax connected with Elan's earlier sale of Tysabri to Biogen. Perrigo argued that the transaction represented ordinary trading activity and should receive different tax treatment. The announcement was followed by the sharpest one-day decline in Perrigo's share price described in the company's history and intensified scrutiny of the tax inversion. Perrigo continued to adjust its portfolio. It acquired Omega Pharma in 2015, adding European consumer-health brands, and later expanded oral care through Ranir Global Holdings and selected assets of High Ridge Brands. In 2021, Perrigo agreed to sell its generic pharmaceuticals business to Altaris Capital Partners for approximately $1.55 billion, signaling a stronger emphasis on consumer self-care. It then agreed to acquire HRA Pharma from Astorg and Goldman Sachs Asset Management for approximately $2.1 billion. The transaction closed in 2022 and brought products in women's health, emergency contraception, and other consumer categories into Perrigo's portfolio. In June 2022, Perrigo moved its corporate headquarters from Allegan to downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, while continuing to maintain manufacturing and other operations at the Allegan campus. In 2023, HRA Pharma's Opill received FDA approval for over-the-counter sale in the United States. Opill's approval marked a significant development in the company's strategy of making healthcare products more accessible without a prescription. Perrigo's present identity therefore combines its historic role as a private-label supplier with an expanding portfolio of branded consumer self-care products and selected pharmaceutical capabilities.

2023
Opill receives FDA approval for over-the-counter sale
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
HRA Pharma's Opill becomes the first daily oral contraceptive approved for nonprescription sale in the United States.
2022
HRA Pharma acquisition completed
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo completes the acquisition of HRA Pharma and strengthens its branded consumer self-care portfolio.
2022
Headquarters move to Grand Rapids
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo relocates its corporate headquarters from Allegan to downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2021
Generic pharmaceuticals divestiture announced
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo agrees to sell its generic pharmaceuticals business to Altaris Capital Partners.
2018
Irish tax dispute
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Irish tax authorities issue a claim of approximately €1.64 billion linked to the Tysabri transaction.
2015
Mylan takeover proposal
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo rejects Mylan's unsolicited proposal valued at approximately $29 billion.
2013
Elan acquisition and Irish reincorporation
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo acquires Elan and becomes legally registered in Ireland for tax purposes.
2005
Agis Industries acquisition
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition broadens Perrigo's generic pharmaceuticals platform and international footprint.
1991
Initial public offering
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Perrigo completes an initial public offering on Nasdaq.
1887
Perrigo is founded in Allegan
[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Luther and Charles Perrigo establish the business while operating a general store in Allegan, Michigan.

Products and positioning

Perrigo positions itself as an accessible healthcare company combining large-scale private-label manufacturing with branded consumer self-care. Its strategy emphasizes affordable medicines, everyday wellness, pharmacy and retail distribution, and the conversion of selected prescription or specialist products into consumer-accessible offerings.

Consumer healthcare
Private-label over-the-counter medicines
Perrigo's historic core is the development and manufacture of store-brand healthcare products for retailers, pharmacies, and other distribution partners. Categories include pain relief, cough and cold, allergy and sinus care, gastrointestinal remedies, antacids, sleep aids, motion-sickness products, smoking cessation, first aid, and feminine care. Products are typically sold under retailer-owned labels rather than the Perrigo name.
Women's health · 2023
Opill
Opill is a progestin-only oral contraceptive associated with HRA Pharma. In 2023, the product received U.S. FDA approval for over-the-counter sale, making it a landmark product in the expansion of nonprescription access to daily oral contraception.
Prescription pharmaceuticals
Generic prescription pharmaceuticals
Perrigo historically manufactured and marketed generic prescription medicines in formulations including creams, ointments, lotions, gels, solutions, nasal sprays, foams, and transdermal products. The company agreed to sell this business to Altaris Capital Partners in 2021 as part of its portfolio shift toward consumer self-care.
Specialty and generic pharmaceuticals · 2013
Rosemont oral-liquid medicines
Rosemont Pharmaceuticals added specialty and generic prescription products, particularly oral liquid formulations. The business supported Perrigo's ability to serve patients who require liquid dosage forms and broadened the company's pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
Consumer healthcare
Consumer self-care and wellness portfolio
Perrigo's international self-care portfolio covers vitamins and natural health products, cough, cold and allergy remedies, oral care, smoking cessation, personal care, dermatological treatments, and lifestyle products. These offerings include both acquired consumer brands and products manufactured for private-label distribution.

Controversies

2019
Perrigo recalls ranitidine worldwide
Perrigo Company plc announced a voluntary worldwide recall of ranitidine at the retail customer level because of the possible presence of the NDMA impurity.
Source
2018
Irish capital-gains tax dispute
The Irish Revenue Commissioners claimed that Perrigo owed approximately €1.64 billion in capital-gains tax connected with Elan's earlier sale of Tysabri to Biogen. Perrigo disputed the classification of the transaction and argued for treatment as trading income. The dispute followed Perrigo's 2013 Irish tax inversion and caused a severe one-day decline in the company's share price.
Source

2023
Advance Opill as an over-the-counter contraceptiveProduct launch
Background
HRA Pharma sought regulatory approval to make a daily oral contraceptive available without a prescription in the United States.
Action taken
The FDA approved Opill for nonprescription sale.
Aftermath
The approval created a landmark consumer-health offering and expanded Perrigo's presence in accessible women's healthcare.
Source
2021
Divest generic pharmaceuticalsStrategy
Background
Perrigo's board concluded that its generic prescription pharmaceutical business could generate greater value outside the group as the company emphasized consumer self-care.
Action taken
Perrigo agreed to sell the generic pharmaceuticals business to Altaris Capital Partners.
Aftermath
The divestiture simplified Perrigo's portfolio and reinforced its consumer-health orientation.
Divestiture value. $1.55 billion (2021)
Source
2021
Agree to acquire HRA PharmaM&A
Background
Perrigo pursued a larger position in branded consumer self-care, particularly women's health and other accessible healthcare categories.
Action taken
Perrigo agreed to acquire HRA Pharma from Astorg and Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Aftermath
The acquisition was completed in 2022 and added products such as Opill to Perrigo's consumer-health portfolio.
Acquisition value. $2.1 billion (2021 agreement; completed 2022)
Source
2015
Reject Mylan's unsolicited acquisition proposalM&A
Background
Mylan proposed to acquire Perrigo in a transaction valued at approximately $29 billion.
Action taken
Perrigo management opposed the offer, and shareholders ultimately rejected the proposed combination.
Aftermath
The bid ended without a transaction and was followed by investor litigation concerning statements made during the contest.
Proposed transaction value. $29 billion (2015)
- Mylan — Mylan pursued the unsolicited offer, which Perrigo and its shareholders ultimately rejected.
Source
2013
Acquire Elan and reincorporate in IrelandM&A
Background
Perrigo sought to acquire Irish pharmaceutical company Elan and use the transaction to establish an Irish legal registration while retaining major operations in Michigan.
Action taken
Perrigo announced and completed an approximately $8.6 billion acquisition of Elan.
Aftermath
The transaction changed Perrigo's tax and corporate structure and later became connected to a major dispute with Irish tax authorities.
Acquisition value. $8.6 billion (2013)
Source

Recent events

2023
FDA approves Opill for nonprescription sale[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Regulation
HRA Pharma received FDA approval for Opill, a progestin-only oral contraceptive and the first daily birth-control pill approved for over-the-counter sale in the United States.
2023
FDA approves Opill for over-the-counter sale[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Regulation
Perrigo’s HRA Pharma subsidiary received FDA approval for Opill, a progestin-only oral contraceptive and the first daily oral contraceptive approved for over-the-counter sale in the United States.
2022
Perrigo completes acquisition of HRA Pharma[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The acquisition added a substantial consumer-health portfolio, including women's health and other self-care products.
2022
Perrigo completes HRA Pharma acquisition[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The HRA Pharma transaction was completed, strengthening Perrigo’s international consumer self-care and women’s health portfolio.
2021
Perrigo agrees to sell generic pharmaceuticals business[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Perrigo agreed to divest its generic pharmaceuticals business to Altaris Capital Partners, supporting a greater concentration on consumer self-care.
2021
Perrigo agrees to sell generic-pharmaceutical business[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Perrigo agreed to sell its generic-pharmaceutical business to Altaris Capital Partners for approximately $1.55 billion.
2021
Perrigo announces acquisition of HRA Pharma[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Perrigo agreed to acquire HRA Pharma from Astorg and Goldman Sachs Asset Management in a transaction reported at approximately $2.1 billion.
2020
Perrigo agrees to acquire oral-care assets of High Ridge Brands[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company announced an agreement valued at approximately $113 million for selected High Ridge Brands oral-care assets.
2019
Perrigo agrees to acquire Ranir Global Holdings[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Perrigo announced an approximately $750 million acquisition intended to expand its oral self-care business.
2016
Investors sue Perrigo over statements made during Mylan bid[1]Perrigoen.wikipedia.org
Lawsuit
Investors filed litigation alleging that company statements during the contested Mylan proposal influenced shareholders' decision to reject the transaction.

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