In the following video, Motley Fool health care bureau chief Brenton Flynn discusses a recent Bloomberg article, which highlights the incredible benefits pharmaceutical companies enjoy through tax management strategies. Brenton tells investors who is profiting and by how much, and why other large-cap health care companies like UnitedHealth Group (UNH 0.40%) and Express Scripts (ESRX) are missing out.
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How Big Pharma Avoids Billions in Taxes
By Brenton Flynn
–
Mar 11, 2013 at 8:00PM
NYSE: MRK
Merck
Market Cap
$203B
Today's Change
(-1.77%) -$1.46
Current Price
$80.93
Price as of July 3, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
Pharmaceutical companies take advantage of tax havens to boost profits for investors. But there is a disadvantage investors might not be aware of.
Brenton Flynn has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Express Scripts, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool owns shares of Express Scripts and Johnson & Johnson. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Stocks Mentioned
Merck
MRK
$80.93
(-1.77%)
$-1.46
Johnson & Johnson
JNJ
$155.93
(0.24%)
$0.37
Abbott Laboratories
ABT
$134.35
(0.18%)
$0.24
UnitedHealth Group
UNH
$308.78
(0.40%)
$1.22
Express Scripts Holding Company
ESRX
*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.
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