DRUG giants are ripping off the public by selling the same medicines under different labels, a probe has revealed. <\/p>\n
And some big-name pills are ten times dearer than stores own brands with the same ingredients. <\/p>\n
Otrivine nasal sprays come in three different boxes for allergies, congestion and sinusitis. <\/p>\n
Yet a Which? probe claims all are medically identical. <\/p>\n
They say Sudafed Day & Night Capsules for colds and flu cost 4.50 but are no different from store chain Wilkos 95p ones. <\/p>\n
Pain pills Combogesic and Nuromol, which mix ibuprofen and paracetamol, are ten times pricier than separately buying own-brand versions of the ingredients. <\/p>\n
And olive and almond oil work just as well as Earex ear drops. <\/p>\n
The watchdog says there is little proof some products, such as Centrum vitamins and Benylin syrup, are necessary or effective. <\/p>\n
Its editor Richard Headland said: Youre sometimes wasting money on medicines as theres a lack of evidence they work. And there are cheaper alternatives. <\/p>\n
According to Which? some firms declined to show evidence of how their product worked. <\/p>\n
They said, through a spokesperson or the manufacturers trade body, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB), that the regulator had licensed the medicine, and therefore it is safe and effective. <\/p>\n
Why wont the firms show their evidence? The PAGB says its because they dont want to give competitors \"commercially sensitive\" data. <\/p>\n
CONSUMER group Which? has these tips when scrutinising over-the-counter remedies: <\/p>\n
John Smith, PAGB chief executive, said: \"Branded OTC medicines enjoy a long-standing heritage of trust and manufacturers invest heavily in research and product development. <\/p>\n
\"In order for a medicine to be granted a licence, manufacturers mustprovide robust evidence to show it is effective before it can be sold in pharmacies and other retail stores.\" <\/p>\n
Manufacturers have invested in research and new product development, and its rare for over-the-counter medicines to have patent protection once launched. <\/p>\n
Some firms did share their data.The European Medicines Agency encourages this for pharmaceutical drugs and routinely publishes the clinical data submitted by companies. <\/p>\n
Which? also called on firms to be equally transparent, so that shoppers can see if their medicines are really value for money. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Otrivine:FIRM makes three nasal sprays for allergies, congestion and sinusitis. <\/p>\n
Experts say: All are identical. <\/p>\n
Glaxo-SmithKline insists they are for different ailments so buyer can pick the product most suited. <\/p>\n
Nuromol:NUROMOL and Combogesic include paracetamol and ibuprofen. <\/p>\n
Experts say: Cheap version of ingredients would be 2.8p a dose instead of 29p and 25p respectively in these packets. <\/p>\n
Sudafed:HAS phenylephrine, a decongestant, to help with colds and flu. <\/p>\n
Experts say: Scant evidence phenylephrine beats placebo. Cheaper versions available. <\/p>\n
Sudafed says regulators approved it. <\/p>\n
Benylin:BENYLIN Chesty Coughs claims it works deep down to loosen phlegm. <\/p>\n
Experts say: Theres no evidence active ingredient glycerol works. <\/p>\n
Benylin says products are clinically proven. <\/p>\n
Centrum Advance 50+:TABLETS are said to give dietary support to over-50s. <\/p>\n
Experts say: Not needed on healthy diet. Own-label pills five times cheaper. <\/p>\n
Maker Centrum says its claims meet EU rules. <\/p>\n
Earex:MEANT to help shift stubborn ear wax. <\/p>\n
Experts say: It works, but cheap olive and almond oils or saline solution do too. <\/p>\n
Earex says government watchdogs recommend product. <\/p>\n
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See original here: <\/p>\n
Drug giants are ripping off the public by selling the same medicines under different labels - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DRUG giants are ripping off the public by selling the same medicines under different labels, a probe has revealed. And some big-name pills are ten times dearer than stores own brands with the same ingredients. Continue reading