The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld a decision by the (CCP), resulting in Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited being fined Rs30 million. The fine stems from an appeal against CCP’s 9 February 2021 order, which found the company guilty of disseminating misleading information about its product to consumers.
The Tribunal confirmed that the company had engaged in deceptive marketing practices by implying that Strepsils was a medicinal product for sore throat relief, despite being deregistered as a drug and marketed as non-medicated. The product is currently classified as food under regulations.
Reckitt Benckiser has been directed to pay the penalty and implement corrective measures within the stipulated timeframe. Notably, the company made significant changes to its packaging and disclosures following CCP’s proceedings, including prominently displaying “Non-Medicated” in both English and Urdu on product packaging.
As part of the resolution, the company must also publicize these changes through advertisements in widely circulated newspapers across Pakistan until full compliance is achieved. This penalty underscores CCP’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring businesses provide accurate information about their products.