Nurofen in brief
- Rank: #44 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #5 of 14 in Consumer & FMCG.
- WCRC Power Score: 65.72 out of 100.
- Founded: 1983, by Boots (The Boots Company).
- Owner: Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Slough, England.
- Leadership: Kris Licht, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt.
- Latest revenue: £14.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +0.3%), group revenue of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, as per company filings.
What makes Nurofen powerful
Nurofen is one of the leading names in over-the-counter pain relief and sits in Reckitt's Self Care category, which delivered high single-digit growth in non-seasonal OTC products in 2025. Its range covers adults and children, from standard tablets to fast-acting capsules and Nurofen for Children liquids, giving it a place in medicine cabinets across Europe and Australia.
Reckitt keeps investing in the brand. Nurofen Mini Liquid Capsules were extended into European markets in 2025, part of a push to keep the brand ahead of generics through format innovation. As Reckitt reshapes itself around health and hygiene after selling Essential Home, its consumer health brands carry more weight in the group, which reported Core Reckitt like-for-like growth of 5.2%. Pharmacist trust and strong brand recall underpin Nurofen's pricing power.
Reckitt names Nurofen as part of the innovation cycle driving its Self Care business.
Why Nurofen ranks #44
Nurofen ranks 44th with a WCRC Power Score of 65.72, between Arup above and Vodafone below. Trust (70) is its strongest pillar, reflecting pharmacist recommendation and strong recall in medicine cabinets, with positioning and recall (68) close behind. Product and innovation (64) and digital and financial strength (64) are steady, while sustainability and governance (58) holds it back, partly because of past regulatory action over its targeted pain claims.
The Achilles' heel
Ibuprofen is off-patent and sold cheaply by supermarkets and pharmacies, so Nurofen must justify a premium through marketing and formats. The brand has faced regulatory action in the past over claims about targeted pain products. Reckitt warned of a challenging European environment for 2026, which is Nurofen's core region, and weaker cold and flu seasons can dent demand.
The 2026 story
Reckitt's full-year results in March 2026 highlighted the extension of Nurofen Mini Liquid Capsules into European markets and strong non-seasonal OTC growth within Self Care. The group completed the sale of Essential Home on 31 December 2025, sharpening its focus on brands like Nurofen. Chief executive Kris Licht guided to Core Reckitt like-for-like growth of 4% to 5% for 2026, while flagging tougher conditions in Europe.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Nurofen in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Nurofen ranks #44 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 65.72 out of 100.
What makes Nurofen powerful?
A household name for pain and fever relief, backed by pharmacy distribution and Reckitt's Self Care innovation pipeline.
What is Nurofen's revenue?
£14.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +0.3%), group revenue of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Nurofen?
Nurofen was founded in 1983 by Boots (The Boots Company). It is owned by Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and based in Slough, England.
Who leads Nurofen?
Kris Licht, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt.
What is Nurofen's biggest challenge?
It sells a widely available generic molecule and faces constant pressure from cheaper own-label ibuprofen.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Consumer & FMCG brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- UK's Most Trusted Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Nurofen |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Reckitt Benckiser Group plc |
| Headquarters | Slough, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder(s) | Boots (The Boots Company) |
| Leadership | Kris Licht, Chief Executive Officer of Reckitt |
| Latest revenue | £14.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +0.3%), group revenue of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Consumer & FMCG |
| Website | nurofen.co.uk |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Annual report and published financial results of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
