The question, "What did Calpol used to be called?" often stems from a misconception that the popular paediatric medicine was rebranded from an older product. However, the name 'Calpol' is unique to the brand and has been in use since its creation in 1959. The confusion often arises because the active ingredient, paracetamol (or acetaminophen in the US), existed long before Calpol was a household name. This article explores the brand's unique history, its parent company changes, and the journey of its core ingredient.
The Birth of Calpol by Calmic Ltd
Calmic Ltd, an English pharmaceutical company based in Crewe, Cheshire, was responsible for developing and launching the Calpol brand. The name is believed to be a combination of the company's name, "Calmic," and the active ingredient, "paracetamol," creating a memorable and distinct brand identity. This naming strategy was a clever way to associate the product with its manufacturer while clearly indicating its pharmacological nature.
Following its launch, Calpol quickly became a staple in British homes for treating children's pain and fever. Its pleasant, sweet-tasting syrup formulation made it particularly suitable for paediatric use, a market that was a key focus for the company.
Calpol’s Journey Through Corporate Ownership
Since its creation, the Calpol brand has been acquired and managed by a series of larger pharmaceutical corporations. These changes in ownership are an important part of the brand's history:
- 1959: Calmic Ltd launches Calpol.
- 1966: The Wellcome Foundation acquires Calmic Ltd, incorporating Calpol into its portfolio.
- 1980s: Calpol becomes one of Wellcome's best-selling products in the UK.
- 1995: Glaxo purchases Wellcome, and the merged entity, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), inherits the brand.
- 2006: Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson, takes ownership of the brand.
- Present Day: Calpol remains under the Johnson & Johnson umbrella through its McNeil Consumer Healthcare subsidiary.
Paracetamol: The Ingredient Before the Brand
While Calpol was born in 1959, the active ingredient paracetamol has a much longer history, dating back to the late 19th century. This history is vital for understanding why so many people mistakenly believe Calpol had an earlier name. Before paracetamol became widely available over the counter, other painkillers and brand names existed, contributing to consumer confusion.
The Global Naming Convention
The active ingredient in Calpol is known by two different generic names depending on the region: paracetamol and acetaminophen. This difference adds another layer of complexity. In the United States and Japan, the drug is called acetaminophen, while in most other parts of the world, including the UK, it is called paracetamol. The US equivalent of Calpol is often considered to be Children's Tylenol, which also uses acetaminophen as its active ingredient.
Comparison of Key Paracetamol Brands
To illustrate the difference between brand names and the generic drug, here is a comparison of some of the most famous paracetamol-based medicines globally:
| Brand Name | Country/Region | Launch Year | Original Company | Ownership Changes | Active Ingredient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calpol | UK & Ireland, among others | 1959 | Calmic Ltd | Wellcome, GSK, Johnson & Johnson | Paracetamol |
| Panadol | UK & International | 1956 | Frederick Stearns & Co | Sterling Drug, GSK, Johnson & Johnson | Paracetamol |
| Tylenol | United States | 1955 | McNeil Laboratories | Johnson & Johnson | Acetaminophen |
Why the “Used to be Called” Question Persists
People's inquiries about Calpol's former name are often the result of several factors:
- Long-standing Presence: The brand has been a fixture in households for generations. Its long history can lead to speculation about its origins, especially when a generic drug with a different name is widely available.
- Confusing with the Generic Name: Many consumers might mistake the generic drug name (paracetamol) for a former brand name. They might have been told by a doctor or pharmacist that Calpol is paracetamol, and from there assume it was once exclusively sold under the generic name.
- Regional Variations: The multitude of regional brand names for paracetamol/acetaminophen worldwide contributes to the confusion. If a person has lived in or traveled to a region where a different brand is common, they might wonder if their familiar product was sold under that alternative name.
Other Common Paracetamol Brands
Calpol is not the only well-known brand of paracetamol. Other popular names include:
- Disprol: A UK-based brand.
- Hedex: Another UK brand.
- Medinol: Also available in the UK.
- Alvedon: Popular in Sweden and the Philippines.
Conclusion: The Answer is in the Name
To answer the question definitively: Calpol has never been called anything else. The brand name was established in 1959 by Calmic Ltd and has remained consistent despite changing ownership over the decades. The perception that it might have had a different name is a byproduct of the brand's long history, the existence of its generic counterpart paracetamol, and the numerous other paracetamol brands available globally. When a parent reaches for Calpol today, they are using the same product name that was introduced to the market over sixty years ago. For more information on the history of Calpol's parent companies, consider reviewing the history of the Wellcome Trust at Wellcome.org.
