Public ‘misled’ over Nurofen claims

The Commerce Commission has laid 10 charges against Reckitt Benckiser (New Zealand) alleging it misled the public about the nature, characteristics and suitability of its Nurofen specific pain range products.

Eight charges under the Fair Trading Act relate to the promotion and packaging of Nurofen Migraine Pain, Nurofen Tension Headache, Nurofen Period Pain and Nurofen Back Pain.

Two other charges alleged that the advertising of the products on the company’s website was likely to mislead or deceive consumers.

Reckitt Benckiser had cooperated with the investigation and intended to plead guilty to the charges, the commission said.

The Nurofen range marketed for back pain, period pain and migraines contained an identical active ingredient. In December, Reckitt Benckiser agreed to stop selling and marketing them. The packaging was changed in March.

The products under the commission’s charges represented less than 5 per cent of the New Zealand Nurofen range, the manufacturer said. ‘‘The Nurofen specific-pain range was launched in New Zealand to provide easy navigation of pain-relief within the grocery environment where pharmacy support is not available.’’

The company said it could not comment further as the case was before the court.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED The maker of Nurofen has co-operated with the investigation and intends to plead guilty to the charges.