Bombshell Aussie move against pharma giant Johnson & Johnson

A major pharmaceutical giant known for its extensive catalogue of healthcare products has been sued over claims it sold Aussies dud cold and flu medications.

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is facing a class action over claims it knowingly sold Australians ineffective cold and flu medication.

The class action was filed in the Federal Court by Brisbane-based lawyers JGA Saddler on Friday, who allege the company marketed and sold products containing phenylephrine as a decongestant for a number of years.

They claim decades of evidence showed phenylephrine was ineffective as a decongestant when taken orally.

Products included several varieties of Codral Cold and Flu, Sudafed PE and Benadryl - all owned by Johnson & Johnson.

The firm alleges the company used outdated and fallible studies to sell Australians products that did not do what they claimed on the packet.

JGA Saddler director Rebecca Jancauskas said Johnson & Johnson had been putting profits before people. Photo supplied.

JGA Saddler director Rebecca Jancauskas said it was a case of Johnson & Johnson putting profits before people.

“Customers should be able to confidently buy medicines that work as advertised and when they don’t, the company involved should be held accountable,” she said.

“Australians have trusted these products to work as advertised and wouldn’t have bought them if they realised they were ineffective at treating congestion.”

Johnson & Johnson have been contacted for comment.

When the decongestant pseudoephedrine was moved behind the counter in 2006 over concerns it was being used in the manufacture of illicit drugs, phenylephrine was quickly marketed as a substitute.

Dr Jo-Lyn McKenzie said it was unethical for corporations to sell products they knew did not work. Photo supplied.

Brisbane ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr Jo-Lyn McKenzie said the marketing of phenylephrine as an oral decongestant did not live up to the reality.

“It’s 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 said.

“When patients feel misled or duped, they may begin to question the validity of evidence-based treatments that are genuinely effective.”

Dr McKenzie said consumers should be cautious and informed rather than rely on advertising.

“Take the time to have meaningful conversations with health professionals who can provide evidence-

based recommendations,” she said.

The Johnson & Johnson products include several varieties of Codral Cold and Flu, Sudafed PE and Benadryl. Photo supplied.

The class action has been backed by global litigation funder Omni Bridgeway, investment manager Niall Watson-Dunne said it was important to hold companies to account when they breached guarantees owed to consumers.

“For around 19 years, Australians have been sold cold and flu products to relieve their symptoms, despite studies and scientific evidence showing their key ingredient phenylephrine is ineffective when taken orally,” he said.

“Australians deserve better.”

Any Australian who purchased the products since 2005 can join the class action through the website coldandfluclassaction.com.au.

Originally published as Bombshell Aussie move against pharma giant Johnson & Johnson