GSK and Novartis being sued for alleged misleading representations in Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against the local consumer health subsidiaries of GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and Novartis (NOVN: VX), alleging they made false or misleading representations in the marketing of Voltaren Osteo Gel and Voltaren Emulgel pain relief products.

The ACCC alleges that Novartis and GSK represented that Osteo Gel was specifically formulated for treating osteoarthritis conditions, and was more effective than Emulgel to treat those conditions, when the two products are identically formulated.

In 2016 GSK acquired Novartis’ portfolio of Voltaren products and has been responsible for marketing and selling these products since that time.