Own-brand paracetamol and ibuprofen pills can work just as well as more expensive branded options, according to a health and nutrition expert, potentially saving shoppers money this winter.
Speaking on Which?'s Health Reset podcast, expert Shafalee Loth said people should focus on ingredients and doses rather than brand names when stocking medicine cabinets. She noted that most brands contain the same active ingredient, with some offering convenient bundles.
Price comparison shows big savings
One of the cheapest forms of paracetamol currently found online is Asda's own-brand range, with a pack of 16 caplets containing 500mg of paracetamol costing 55p, roughly 2p per pill. Supermarket-own brand packs generally range from 35p to 38p across major UK retailers like Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Lidl.
This compares with branded equivalents such as Panadol, priced at £2.35 for 16 at Boots, or 16p per pill, for the same 500mg dose. Anadin Extra, at £2.20 for a 16-pack at Boots, or 14p per pill, includes caffeine and aspirin alongside paracetamol.
When branded may be worth it
Loth said: "Essentially, the drugs are paracetamol and ibuprofen. You can buy those in branded forms or you can also buy generic ones in the supermarket or in pharmacies, high street pharmacies, and they are significantly cheaper."
She added that in some cases spending more on a branded product could be justified, such as for fast pain relief, advising people to look for words like 'advance' on labels, as those products have been shown to act faster.
Cold and flu remedies can be DIY
The expert said the same principle applies to cold and flu tablets, noting that most products offer a "convenient package" but can be found cheaper elsewhere. She said: "The main ingredients in a cold and flu formulation, whether that be a tablet, a powder, or a drink, are paracetamol, a decongestant and caffeine."
"You could effectively do that yourself, but you'll just pay more for that convenience. You could take an own-brand paracetamol with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea and then have a decongestant on the side if you feel that helps for you."
Even on the cheaper end, Asda's Max Strength Cold and Flu Capsules (16 pack, £2, 12.5p per pill) could be beaten with the separate approach. Using the supermarket's own-brand 2p paracetamol combined with a standard cup of coffee, roughly 2p, provides a simple remedy for about 4p, leaving enough to buy a decongestant at £1.97, which costs less than 1p per pump for roughly 200 doses.
