Don't buy branded cold/pain relief!

foxcub_2

Have you ever compared the ingredients of various branded cold/pain relief capsules etc? Not that I enjoy doing it as a pastime, but, I have noticed that sudafed have exactly the same ingredients as morrisons/sainsbury's/tesco's own brand cold relief, but are nearly £1 more expensive!

It would seem that they are all from the same pharmaceutical supplier as well.

So, when you are next coughing and spluttering, or generally unwell and reaching to purchase branded remedies, check out their cheaper counterparts, you may well discover that you are paying extra just for the name.

jockettuk

i worked for a company a few years ago that put the same stuff in different packaging depending on which company it was for and it was selling for £5 dearer in some shops.. just goes to show shop around

Glad

and some cold relief products only contain paracetomol and vitamin C

Tupperware_Queen

On a similar vein, I'm a childrens nurse and always advise parents NEVER to buy calpol or nurofen syrups. Calpol is plain and simple paracetamol syrup, go to your local chemist (not boots either) and ask for paracetamol elixir or syrup (depeding on your opinion of sugar in medicine). Nurofen is ibuprofen, and now that its out of "copyright" it can be sold under that name more cheaply too, though this is less widely known about than paracetamol. I never buy branded pharmaceuticals, they are a rip off major league!!!

loafer_2

Tesco now have their own brand Zantac "Ranitidine" and the max strengh/flu tablets at over £1.50 off the branded versions. In fact in some cases the 'max' is a stronger potion in the Tesco version.


Always read the label folks.

Chriswil

I completely agree with all above. I would say however to check the instructions.

As for the contents, a quick check will show it to be true! Generally exactly the same contents, down even to colour etc.

I never buy branded myself.

Chris

Walletwatch

Echoes the sentiment conveyed by the Money Diet, to buy one rung lower and try it out... Good to know that one can try and apply it to pharma products as well though - I do it on all non-edible and non-medicinal products (on the food front, Asda, where I shop, don't do great stuff anyway)

Will try the proprietary (non-branded) medicines the next time round...

shoe_addict

I agree, lidl do really cheap ibroprofen, just as good as any name brand.