Australia watchdog appeals fine on Reckitt Benckiser as too light

Thomson ReutersNurofen pain relievers targeting specific types of pain are seen on a pharmacy shelf in Sydney

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia’s competition watchdog on Monday filed an appeal against the A$1.7 million ($1.2 million) fine a court ordered British consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser pay for misleading consumers on painkiller marketing.

“The ACCC will submit to the Full Court of the Federal Court that A$1.7 million in penalties imposed on a company the size of Reckitt Benckiser does not act as an adequate deterrent and might be viewed as simply a cost of doing business,” Australia Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

The commission said earlier in May a penalty of at least A$6 million would have been appropriate.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Stephen Coates)

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