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ISLAMABAD, June 1, 2026: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) decision against Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited over the deceptive marketing of Strepsils, directing the company to pay a Rs30 million penalty and fully implement corrective measures.
The Tribunal dismissed an appeal filed by Reckitt Benckiser against the CCP’s February 9, 2021 order, ruling that the company had violated Section 10(2)(b) of the Competition Act, 2010 by providing misleading information to consumers about the nature and status of Strepsils.
According to the judgment, Reckitt Benckiser’s marketing and advertising campaigns created the impression that Strepsils was a medicinal product used for sore throat relief. However, the product had already been deregistered as a drug and was being marketed as a non-medicated product. Currently, Strepsils is registered as a food item.
The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Square Distribution & Marketing System (Pvt.) Limited, which alleged that the company’s advertising practices were misleading consumers regarding the product’s classification.
The Tribunal noted that significant changes were made to Strepsils packaging after the CCP initiated proceedings. The words “Non-Medicated” are now prominently displayed in both English and Urdu on the front of the packaging and blister packs, making the product’s status more visible to consumers.
According to the Tribunal, these modifications indicate the company’s recognition of the need for corrective action and demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s concerns regarding consumer information.
In addition to the financial penalty, Reckitt Benckiser has been directed to publicly announce the change in Strepsils’ status from a drug to a food product. The company must publish notices in at least three widely circulated English and Urdu newspapers across Pakistan on a weekly basis until full compliance is achieved.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan welcomed the ruling, stating that the decision reinforces the importance of transparency in advertising and protects consumers from deceptive marketing practices.
The CCP reiterated its commitment to ensuring that businesses provide accurate, clear and truthful information about their products and services, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
