NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Wednesday it plans to divest its U.S. and Canadian consumer medicines, including its Excedrin painkiller, in a move that would tighten its U.S. focus on sales of more-profitable prescription drugs.

The New York-based drugmaker said it will contact potential buyers in coming weeks, but that it will keep its consumer medicines in Japan, China, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Recent published reports have said the company was considering sale of its consumer brands in North America.