STOCKHOLM—Johnson & Johnson has handed Nordic PR duties to Cohn & Wolfe as it steps up consumer activity in the wake of industry deregulation.

The company selected Cohn & Wolfe following a lengthy competitive review that featured 10 agencies. 

Cohn & Wolfe is charged with supporting consumer and healthcare communications to increase awareness within the Nordic region of J&J’s OTC product line, which includes Ipren, Nicorette and Imodium.

In 2009, Sweden deregulated its pharmacy market, allowing for consumer drugs to be sold in supermarkets and other retail channels. 

"The industry is facing big changes after the deregulation of the pharmacy market and it’s more important than ever for us to have the right partner,” said Eva Alberius-Krenk, Johnson & Johnson Nordic CMO.