Emerging markets lift profits of maker of Nurofen and Durex

Demand for Nurofen painkillers and other health brands in emerging markets helped Reckitt Benckiser offset weaker markets elsewhere to post a rise in half-year profits today.

Although a heavy flu and colds season at the beginning of 2013 boosted sales of Strepsils in Europe, the consumer giant’s fastest growth came from countries such a China, which has become the largest market in the world for its Durex brand.