Two Luxembourg pharmacists have confirmed to RTL Today that Lemsip, the well-known health brand that gets many of us through our seasonal sickness, will no longer be sold in Luxembourg once current stocks run out.
Lemsip is a popular brand of cold and flu remedies and is manufactured by the British company Reckitt.
Pharmacist Thierry Schmitz, of Pharmacie du Kiem in Kirchberg, said that according to information they received from their supplier Pharma Goedert, Lemsip will no longer be available for sale in the Grand Duchy.
He added that his pharmacy does have stocks of the cold and flu medicine but once these are sold the iconic product will no longer be available at his store.
The ivy green box is arguably a staple in many people’s medicine drawer. So, what will be the alternative if the 55-year-old product is retired in Luxembourg?
Mr Schmitz pointed out that there are alternatives to Lemsip available to customers. He confirmed that the product is popular among expats and cited French people in particular as being quite loyal to the brand, in his experience.
A second pharmacy, Mondercange Pharmacy, also confirmed that the product is set to disappear off shelves in the future.
“The Reckitt laboratory has suspended its marketing (internal decision at the Reckitt laboratory but not linked to a danger or misuse of the medication). There is still stock left with expiration January 2025. As soon as this stock is exhausted, there will no longer be any possibility of procurement,” said a spokesperson at the pharmacy.
RTL Today contacted Reckitt, the manufacturers of Lemsip, and distributer Pharma Goedert for comment but had not received one.
According to Reckitt’s website, Lemsip was first launched in 1969 as ‘LEM-SIP’ and was the first cold-relief product containing real lemon. This unique selling point was only made possible because of Reckitt & Colman’s experience in the drinks business.
In Norwich, UK, the Colman area of the business specialised in lemon drinks. Eureka! The perfect collaboration: a healthcare product that was not only effective but tasted great too.
The brand dropped the hyphen in 1976 and the new blackcurrant flavour first hit the market in 1981, with cough relief liquids and capsules quickly following.
Did you know that the brand’s mascots evolved quite a lot over the years? The ‘Elder Lemon’ first made its appearance in 1980, but Lemsip’s marketing has also been supported by the “Laughing Policeman”, “Croaky Frog”, “Comfy Armchair” and “Hard Working Medicine” over time.
This 1985 Lemsip ad was popular back in the day:
