Pharmacy Daily | Johnson & Johnson sued

PHARMACEUTICAL giant Johnson & Johnson is facing a class action for allegedly selling "ineffective" cold and flu medicine to Australians (PD breaking news 20 Dec 2024).

Brisbane law firm JGA Saddler filed proceedings in the Federal Court last month over oral cold and flu products sold by the company under the Codral, Sudafed and Benadryl brands.

The medicines all contain the drug phenylephrine, which has been marketed and sold as a decongestant for many years, however there is growing evidence to suggest it doesn't work when taken orally, prompting a move in the US to ban the drug.

JGA Saddler alleges that Johnson & Johnson has been knowingly marketing and selling ineffective medicines, putting profits over Australians.

"Customers should be able to confidently buy medicines that work as advertised and when they don't, the company involved should be held accountable," JGA Saddler Director Rebecca Jancauskas said.

"Johnson & Johnson has manufactured and marketed a medication that decades of evidence have shown doesn't work as claimed, relying on outdated, fallible studies to sell the Australian public products that don't do what they claim on the packet.

"Australians have trusted these products to work as advertised and wouldn't have bought them if they realised they were ineffective at treating congestion," she added.

Brisbane ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr Jo-Lyn McKenzie has also slammed the pharmaceutical company's marketing of phenylephrine as an oral decongestant, emphasising that it is "unconscionable and deeply unethical for corporations to sell healthcare products while knowing they don't work".

"This practice erodes trust in a space that depends on consumer confidence," she stated, adding the situation services as a reminder for Australians consumers to be cautious and informed.

"Rather than relying on direct-to-consumer advertising, take the time to have meaningful conversations with health professionals who can provide evidence-based recommendations."

JGA Saddler is urging all Australians who have purchased any of the 20 Johnson & Johnson products included in the lawsuit since 2005 to register for the class action - find out more here. JM