The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed Rs. 5.5 million in fines on seven animal medicine manufacturers for using brand names and packaging that closely resembled the registered COLCOREX trademark, calling the practice deceptive and in violation of the Competition Act, 2010.

The case was initiated after Shahujee Herbal Pharma complained that several companies were selling similar products under names resembling its COLCOREX brand, which has been in the market since 1999 and was registered with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) in 2017.

Following an investigation, the CCP concluded that the companies copied the trademark either entirely or with minor spelling changes, prefixes, or suffixes. It also found that several firms imitated the original product’s packaging, colours, and branding, making it likely that consumers would mistake the products for the genuine brand.

The Commission fined Atzan Natural Products, Muslim Herbal and Nutraceuticals, S-Asia Oriental Pharma, and Izfaar Nutraceuticals Industries Rs. 1 million each, while HerBBeck Nutraceuticals, Vital Mark Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd., and Hi-Vet Nutraceuticals Pharma were fined Rs. 500,000 each. Proceedings against Blessco International were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The CCP said approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) does not permit a company to use another firm’s registered trademark and does not limit the Commission’s authority to act against deceptive marketing.

The regulator has ordered the companies to immediately stop using the disputed trademarks, remove related promotional material, and submit compliance reports within 30 days. Failure to comply will result in an additional Rs. 100,000 daily penalty.