ACCC alleges misleading labelling by pharmaceutical company
Mar 09, 2015The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against pharmaceutical giant, Reckitt Benckiser, alleging that it is making misleading claims that its various Nurofen products are able to target different types of pain – back pain, period pain, migraine pain and tension headaches – even though the active ingredients in all products are the same.
The ACCC Chairman Rod Sims stated:
“In this case, we allege that consumers have been misled into purchasing Nurofen Specific Pain Products under the belief that each product is specifically designed for and effective in treating a particular type of pain, when this is not the case … The retail price of the Nurofen Specific Pain Products is significantly above that of other comparable analgesic products that also act as general pain relievers. Recent price sampling conducted by the ACCC revealed that these products are being sold at retail prices around double that of Nurofen’s standard ibuprofen products and standard products of its competitors.”
The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctions, an order for the publication of corrective notices, penalties and costs.
The first court mention, the case management conference, is scheduled for 31 March 2015.
Contact the Shire Legal team if you have any questions.
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