The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld a previous decision by the (CCP), resulting in Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited being fined Rs30 million. The fine stems from an allegation that the company disseminated misleading information about its product, Strepsils, which is registered as a food item and not a medicinal drug.
The case was initiated after complaints were filed by Square Distribution & Marketing System (Pvt.) Ltd, alleging that Reckitt Benckiser’s advertising campaigns misled consumers regarding the product’s status. The Tribunal noted that the company had since made significant changes to its packaging and disclosures, including prominently displaying “Non-Medicated” in both English and Urdu.
As part of the penalties, Reckitt Benckiser is required to pay the fine and fully comply with CCP’s corrective measures within a specified timeframe. This case underscores CCP’s commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring businesses provide accurate information about their products.