Why is there no generic version of Nurofen plus

Dara Robinson

So I've been wondering something about Nurofen plus for some time, I've kind of looked into it here and there but not really. But I was listening to a podcast episode there that included a bit about the cost of drugs in the US and it got me back onto this subject.

Why is there no generic version of Nurofen plus? They are currently selling it for over €15 (I've mostly seen it for €17 upwards) per pack of 24. Paracetamol can be found for as low as €1.80 for a pack of 24.

I finally found when Nurofen Plus first hit the market, 1997 in the UK, not sure about Ireland but could not have been much later.

The full term of a patent is 20 years, that means that it expired back in 2017, 7 years ago.

How are there no generic versions? What am I missing here

RobbingBandit

Boots UK has a generic ibuprofen codeine combo also has a generic solpadeine no such luck here though.

I can get generic buprofen tablets in the chemist

kirving

My sister used to work in a pharmacy, and said that Nurofen Plus was very widely abused, so much so that the addicts would learn the shift patterns of staff so as to avoid being refused or making a name for themselves, and they were only caught when staff were sometimes asked to work in different branches to cover sick leave.

Maybe there's an unwillingness for pharmacies or generics manufactures to be involved in lower cost selling, or the government are discouraging it? I'm not sure how that would actually happen in practice though. Can the HPRA refuse to certify a generic for such reasons?

Madd002

I get generic version, never buy branded anymore as I watched a programme that states they are the same just in different packaging.

Dara Robinson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609970#Comment_122609970

Ibuprofen is not Nurofen plus, Nurofen plus is Ibuprofen plus codeine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609971#Comment_122609971

I don't discount what you are saying, I know its true, but it's pharmaceutical companies that create a generics not pharmacies (boots being mostly the exception, as far as I know the other own brands are rebranded ones already in existence by pharmaceutical companies).

I wonder if it's a legal thing and Nurofen plus just snook in under the wire or what

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122618574#Comment_122618574

Ive seen brufen max . I never thought it was just a higher dose of ibuprofen.

Former Former Former

There’s no legal or patent barrier, there just wouldn’t be enough return on investment to justify it

Dara Robinson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122618821#Comment_122618821

Ibuprofen is normally 200mg, ibuprofen max or plus is normally 400mg

boardlady

I buy Brupro Max OTC - which is 400mg. No codeine in it though.