Regulatory Approval

GlaxoSmithKline PLC
12 January 2001





  GlaxoSmithKline and Block Drug Receive Regulatory Approval to Complete the
         Purchase by GlaxoSmithKline of Block Drug for $1.24 Billion





GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Block Drug Company, Inc. today announced that
they received final regulatory clearance from the European Commission to
complete GSK's $1.24 billion acquisition of Block Drug, the manufacturer of
Sensodyne toothpaste and other oral healthcare and consumer products.
Clearance has already been received in the USA, Australia and Canada.

The companies expect to close the transaction early next week.

GSK's currently outstanding tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding
shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Block Drug at $53
per share net is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on
Friday 12th January 2001.

The tender offer, which is being conducted through an indirect, wholly-owned
US subsidiary of GSK, was originally commenced by SmithKline Beecham plc. On
27th December 2000, SmithKline Beecham plc became a wholly owned subsidiary of
GSK, upon the effectiveness of the merger of SmithKline Beecham plc and Glaxo
Wellcome plc, pursuant to a scheme of arrangement approved by the UK High
Court.

In addition to Sensodyne, Block Drug's products include Polident/Corega
denture cleanser, Poli-Grip/Corega denture adhesive, and a number of OTC
brands. Block Drug has geographic sales well balanced across North America,
Europe and International markets, including Japan. It has operations in over
100 countries and employs approximately 3,000 people in R&D, sales and
marketing, manufacturing and distribution. For company information, visit
Block Drug on the World Wide Web at http://www.blockdrug.com.

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.



S M Bicknell

Company Secretary



12th January 2001









Enquiries:
UK Media enquiries                      Martin Sutton        [phone]

                                        Alan Chandler        [phone]
                                        Louise Sibley        [phone]

US Media enquiries                      Jeremy Heymsfeld     [phone]

                                        Mary Anne Rhyne      [phone]

European Analyst/Investor enquiries     Jennie Younger       [phone]
                                        Duncan Learmouth     [phone]
                                        Joan Toohill         [phone]

                                        Anita Kidgell        [phone]

US Analyst/ Investor enquiries          Frank Murdolo        [phone]

                                        Tom Curry            [phone]
                                                             
                                        Jennie Younger       [phone]

Website address                         www.gsk.com







This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an
offer to sell shares of Block Drug. Smithkline Beecham plc has filed a Tender
Offer Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') and Block
Drug has filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with respect to the
offer. Block Drug shareholders are advised to read the Tender Offer Statement
regarding the acquisition of Block Drug referenced in this press release, and
the related Solicitation/Recommendation Statement which have been filed with
the SEC. THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION
STATEMENT CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE
ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER. These documents will be made
available to all shareholders of Block Drug at no expense to them. The Tender
Offer Statement (including the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of
Transmittal and all other offer documents filed with the SEC) and the
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement also will be available at no charge on
the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.