DRUG giants are ripping off the public by selling the same medicines under different labels, a probe has revealed.

And some big-name pills are ten times dearer than stores own brands with the same ingredients.

Otrivine nasal sprays come in three different boxes for allergies, congestion and sinusitis.

Yet a Which? probe claims all are medically identical.

They say Sudafed Day & Night Capsules for colds and flu cost 4.50 but are no different from store chain Wilkos 95p ones.

Pain pills Combogesic and Nuromol, which mix ibuprofen and paracetamol, are ten times pricier than separately buying own-brand versions of the ingredients.

And olive and almond oil work just as well as Earex ear drops.

The watchdog says there is little proof some products, such as Centrum vitamins and Benylin syrup, are necessary or effective.

Its editor Richard Headland said: Youre sometimes wasting money on medicines as theres a lack of evidence they work. And there are cheaper alternatives.

According to Which? some firms declined to show evidence of how their product worked.

They said, through a spokesperson or the manufacturers trade body, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB), that the regulator had licensed the medicine, and therefore it is safe and effective.

Why wont the firms show their evidence? The PAGB says its because they dont want to give competitors "commercially sensitive" data.

CONSUMER group Which? has these tips when scrutinising over-the-counter remedies:

John Smith, PAGB chief executive, said: "Branded OTC medicines enjoy a long-standing heritage of trust and manufacturers invest heavily in research and product development.

"In order for a medicine to be granted a licence, manufacturers mustprovide robust evidence to show it is effective before it can be sold in pharmacies and other retail stores."

Manufacturers have invested in research and new product development, and its rare for over-the-counter medicines to have patent protection once launched.

Some firms did share their data.The European Medicines Agency encourages this for pharmaceutical drugs and routinely publishes the clinical data submitted by companies.

Which? also called on firms to be equally transparent, so that shoppers can see if their medicines are really value for money.

Otrivine:FIRM makes three nasal sprays for allergies, congestion and sinusitis.

Experts say: All are identical.

Glaxo-SmithKline insists they are for different ailments so buyer can pick the product most suited.

Nuromol:NUROMOL and Combogesic include paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Experts say: Cheap version of ingredients would be 2.8p a dose instead of 29p and 25p respectively in these packets.

Sudafed:HAS phenylephrine, a decongestant, to help with colds and flu.

Experts say: Scant evidence phenylephrine beats placebo. Cheaper versions available.

Sudafed says regulators approved it.

Benylin:BENYLIN Chesty Coughs claims it works deep down to loosen phlegm.

Experts say: Theres no evidence active ingredient glycerol works.

Benylin says products are clinically proven.

Centrum Advance 50+:TABLETS are said to give dietary support to over-50s.

Experts say: Not needed on healthy diet. Own-label pills five times cheaper.

Maker Centrum says its claims meet EU rules.

Earex:MEANT to help shift stubborn ear wax.

Experts say: It works, but cheap olive and almond oils or saline solution do too.

Earex says government watchdogs recommend product.

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Drug giants are ripping off the public by selling the same medicines under different labels - The Sun