**Competition Commission Recovers Rs. 150 Million Penalty from Reckitt Benckiser for Misleading Strepsils Advertising**
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has recovered a Rs. 150 million penalty from Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Ltd. after the company was found guilty of misleading advertising regarding its product Strepsils. The penalty was enforced through the attachment of the company’s bank account, following the dismissal of Reckitt Benckiser’s appeal by the Appellate Tribunal.
The original penalty was imposed after CCP determined that Reckitt Benckiser had falsely promoted Strepsils as a remedy for sore throats, despite the product having been deregistered as a medicinal item several years prior. The commission noted that, although Strepsils is no longer classified as a medicine, the company’s advertising continued to give consumers the impression that it possessed therapeutic qualities. This, according to CCP, constituted a violation of advertising regulations and infringed upon consumer rights.
The case underwent a formal inquiry and hearing process, after which the CCP levied the Rs. 150 million fine. Reckitt Benckiser sought to challenge the decision before the appellate tribunal, but the appeal was dismissed for lack of pursuit. When the company failed to pay the penalty within the stipulated deadline, the CCP exercised its authority under Section 40(2)(a) of the Competition Act, which permits the freezing of bank accounts and recovery of fines from non-compliant entities. The commission subsequently recovered the funds using this mechanism.
In a statement, CCP officials reaffirmed their dedication to upholding fair market practices and safeguarding consumers from deceptive marketing. They emphasized that misleading claims—especially in relation to health and pharmaceutical products—would continue to face strict scrutiny and enforcement actions.
This enforcement action not only underscores the CCP’s resolve to protect consumer interests, but also sets a significant precedent for accountability in advertising standards across the market. The commission reiterated its commitment to acting decisively against any companies that compromise consumer protection or mislead the public.
