GSK, Nicodrops settle over smokers' supplements

The consumer healthcare division of GlaxoSmithKline says it has settled a lawsuit with Nicodrops International, which it claimed had used false advertising and unfair competition claims for its herbal dietary supplements.

The British pharmaceutical firm said it settled with Nicodrops after the supplement maker changed labeling on its Nicodrops product and took down cost and effectiveness comparisons to GlaxoSmithKline products from its website.

New promotional materials indicate that Nicodrops is a dietary herbal supplement that can be used as a smoking alternative, but do not refer to it as a stop smoking aid that reduces nicotine cravings.

GlaxoSmithKline makes the NicoDerm CQ patch, Nicorette gum, and Commit lozenge, which it says are clinically proven to help smokers manage the symptoms of nicotine dependence and withdrawal, helping them to quit.

The lawsuit, which was filed in a federal district court in February, was settled by both parties without any admission of liability.