Nurofen Under Investigation For Misleading Consumers

The painkiller company was under investigation after an Australian court ordered the Nurofen Company to stop selling several versions of the painkiller, which it ruled were identical to its standard pills.

The variations of drugs were nearly twice as expensive, the company that makes the painkiller Nurofen is to be investigated by the advertising watchdog over claims that it misled consumers.

Nurofen Back Pain, Period Pain, Migraine Pain and Tension Headache Products are in fact identical and the firm has "engaged in misleading conduct" by labelling them for different ailments, the Federal Court ruled.

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has now confirmed it is investigating 12 complaints about a television advert for Nurofen Express.

The watchdog is examining whether the advert was misleading because it implies that the product directly targets muscles in the head.

An ASA spokesman said: "We received the complaints in February and launched an investigation in March.

"This is a complex case and our investigation is ongoing.

"The advertiser is providing evidence to substantiate its claims, we're carefully assessing that and we'll publish our findings in due course."

A spokeswoman for Nurofen said the Australian court ruling did not affect its UK products and they would continue to be available.