The Federal Court of Australia found that Nurofen uses similar ingredients to create various targeted pills, but each one claims to treat a specific ailment, such as migraines, period pains and back pain. The court encouraged health experts to caution patients from overspending on these "targeted" medications.
Nurofen is one of Britain's most popular painkiller brands. The targeted Nurofen pills contain salts that make them break down faster to provide quick relief.
The Australian court ruled to have the Nurofen targeted pills removed because as an investigation revealed, that minus the specific packaging claims, the targeted pills are all "identical." Each of these targeted pills has the same licensing code, contains the same ingredients and delivers the same ibuprofen amount.
A separate examination by consumer group Which? also found out that the "targeted" tablets have the same drugs and the same quantities as their supermarket and pharmacy counterparts, yet Nurofen's versions are three times more expensive.
"You might think Nurofen Migrain Pain and Nurofen Tension Headache caplets would target your migraine and tension headaches respectively, but you'd be wrong: ibuprofen can't target pain in specific body parts," said Which?'s editor Richard Headland.
Which? researchers added that Nurofen's packaging reveals slightly diverse ingredients. This is due to the pill's varying binding ingredients, however, the "targeted" medications have the same quantities of pain-killing active ingredients.
In a statement, Nurofen acknowledged the Federal Court of Australia's decision, but reassured that the ruling is only applicable in Australia and products sold in the UK will not be affected.
Dr. Aomesh Bhatt, director for Nurofen's Regulatory & Medical Affairs, said that the company's targeted pain variety was created to help consumers in studying their painkiller options. This intention aims to help consumers in environments where no health care specialists are available to help them decide.
Nurofen said the concerned products make up less than 5 percent of their Nurofen drugs sold in Australia. The company will work with the Australian agency to replace the said products' packaging. The rest of Nuforen's products in the Australia are not affected and will continue to be sold.
Photo: Kelly Hunter | Flickr
