Nurofen, United Kingdom's biggest painkiller brand, has been found using identical ingredients for a wide spectrum of different ailments. Health experts are now warning the public that it is overpaying for the medicines.
Back in March, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had been targeting Reckit Beckinser, Nurofen drug-maker, for misleading consumers by selling a range of pain relief products for targeted ailments. It has been found that it is essentially the same drug that was being sold either you have a minor back pain or a horrible case of migraine. All of Nurofen's "targeted" pain relievers contained the same ingredient of the same amount -- ibuprofen lysine at 342 mg. The Australian Federal court already released a verdict and found the company guilty of making misleading claims.
"Price sampling conducted by the ACCC before the proceedings were commenced indicated that the Nurofen specific pain products were being sold at retail prices almost double that of Nurofen's standard ibuprofen products and the general pain relief products of its competitors," ACCC chairman Rod Sims in a statement.
Reckit Benckiser has already admitted that it did contravened the Australian Consumer Law and already consented to the orders of the Federal Court. Still, the company denies that they decieved the consumers with packaging and marketing.
"Nurofen did not set out to mislead consumers. Nurofen has cooperated with the ACCC in relation to these proceedings and will fully comply with the court order made today," Nurofen spokesperson Montse Pena said.
Nurofen specific pain products will be removed from retail space within 3 months. The company already had corrective notices in newspapers as well as their official website.
UK watchdog group Advertising Standards Authority is now examining complaints. An ASA spokeswoman released a statement. "Complainants have challenged whether the ad is misleading because it implies the product directly targets muscles in the head."
