Nurofen brand under attack as rival launches flu remedy

Drugs company Galpharm International is stepping up its attack on Crookes Healthcare’s Nurofen with the launch of a cold and flu brand.

Next month, Galpharm will launch Galprofen Cold and Flu tablets in a pack of 12, priced at 1.59. This will undercut Nurofen Cold and Flu, which sells for 2.39 for 12.

Both products are based on Ibuprofen.

Last year the company launched Galpharm Ibuprofen and moved the product from pharmacy status to general sales list status, which allows it to be sold in supermarkets, petrol stations and other outlets.

Nurofen is only available in supermarkets in packs of 12.

Nurofen Cold and Flu is not available in supermarkets and it is here that Galprofen believes its Cold and Flu brand can make inroads.

Nurofen went on the general sales list in January 1996 and has since become the second best-selling branded painkiller, with 13.9 per cent of the market by value (IRI InfoScan).

The leading painkiller is Anadin from Whitehall Laboratories, which holds about 17 per cent of the market.