Panadol

Panadol in brief

• Rank: #26 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #3 of 5 in Healthcare & Pharma.
• WCRC Power Score: 67.12 out of 100.
• Founded: 1955, by Sterling Drug.
• Owner: Haleon plc, Weybridge, England.
• Leadership: Brian McNamara, Chief Executive Officer, Haleon.
• Latest revenue: £11.0bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, -1.8%), group revenue of Haleon plc, as per company filings.

What makes Panadol powerful

Panadol is one of the best-known names in pain relief and a pillar of Haleon, the UK-headquartered consumer health group that reported revenue of £11.03bn in 2025. Haleon said organic growth that year was driven by mid-single-digit growth in Panadol, making the brand one of the clearest performers in a portfolio that also includes Sensodyne.

The brand's power comes from trust. Consumers reach for familiar names when buying medicine, and that loyalty lets Panadol hold its place on pharmacy and supermarket shelves against cheaper unbranded paracetamol. Backed by Haleon's global distribution, science and marketing budgets, Panadol has the scale to reach consumers across many markets. Group organic revenue growth of 3.0% in 2025, with a total dividend of 7.1p, shows that the business behind the brand remains steady and cash generative, giving Panadol consistent investment for innovation and advertising.

Haleon said mid-single-digit growth in Panadol helped drive the group's 3.0% organic revenue growth in 2025.

Why Panadol ranks #26

Panadol ranks 26th with a WCRC Power Score of 67.12, between The Economist above and Nationwide below. Trust (72) is its strongest pillar, as shoppers reach for a familiar name when buying medicine, and Positioning and recall (70) is strong. Product and innovation (64) and Digital and financial (64) are steady, backed by Haleon's £11.03bn revenue, but Sustainability and governance (60) holds it back.

The Achilles' heel

Panadol sells a widely available, low-cost active ingredient, so it must constantly justify a premium over own-label paracetamol. Sales are also sensitive to the strength of cold and flu seasons: a weak season held back Haleon's fourth-quarter growth in 2025. In October 2026 Haleon cut its 2026 growth guidance to around 2.5%, citing weak cold and flu demand.

The 2026 story

Panadol's 2026 so far has been shaped by Haleon's full-year 2025 results, published in February. The group reported revenue of £11.03bn, down 1.8% at reported rates but up 3.0% organically, and said growth was driven by mid-single-digit gains in Panadol. Fourth-quarter growth was held back by a weak cold and flu season. Haleon proposed a total dividend of 7.1p per share and said it aims to grow the dividend at least in line with earnings.

Pillar profile

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

Questions people ask

Also featured in

• Most powerful Healthcare & Pharma brands
• UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
• Most Famous British Brands
• UK's Most Trusted Brands
• Most powerful brands in England

Key facts

Sources

• Revenue figure published by Haleon 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