Poundworld is selling these Men’s Health vitamins at a 1,200% discount – but are you just paying for the brand name?

CUSTOMERS are rushing to Poundworld stores across the UK after it started selling a range of trendy Men's Heath vitamins and health supplements up to 13 TIMES cheaper than in other stores.

Poundworld, which has 350 stores across the UK, is experiencing huge sales of the range made by the Men's Health Lab after putting them on its shelves for just a quid.

The range includes vitamins for Cardio Health, Joint Endurance, Multi-Fit and Mental Focus - which contain a month's supply of 30 or 40 capsules, designed to improve health and fitness.

They usually cost as much as £12.99 in Boots, Holland & Barrett and other retailers - meaning the Poundworld packs are 1,200 per cent cheaper than on the High Street or online.

Other supplements in the range, such as Men's Health Active Recovery and Body Defence - which normally sell for £6.99 - are also on sale for just £1.

Men's Heath claims to be the world's largest magazine brand, with 40 editions in 47 countries - with the magazine's website getting 38 million views every month.

The products are often sold at a discount in many of the shops - although, none sell them for as little as £1.

For example, the Men's Health Lab Multi-Fit is currency priced at £8.50 in Ocado, £10 at Asda and Sainsbury's and £4.99 in Superdrug.

As the picture shows below they were included in Holland & Barrett's penny sale - where customers buy one full priced item and then get a second for 1p.

While Tesco currently has an offer on where shoppers can get "any 3 for 2", costing £8.50 each.

Poundworld said that the supplements were proving to be "very popular" at a time when many Brits try to start health kicks.

A spokesman said: “Money is tight for everyone in January, however, after the festive season, we know that many of our customers make a New Year commitment to live a healthier lifestyle.

"We’re glad that we can help them out by offering some of the best bargains on the high street."

Is it cheaper to buy non-branded products?

In a word, yes. Last month, an investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com revealed that some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines  can be sold at three times the price - but the same can apply to vitamins too.

The research by the consumer group found that prices for cold and flu medication can vary by up to 71 per cent, depending on the brand.

Those buying supplements and vitamins made by well-known brands can check the ingredients list to see whether non-branded products are exactly the same and a fraction of the price.

We haven't compared the Men's Health Lab products against other vitamin products but if you're going to buy them, then it its worth double-checking yourself.

The £1 price tag may well be cheaper than you can buy those vitamins in other shops too. If you're unsure about whether to take a supplement then you should speak to your doctor.

You can also spot whether medicines are the same by checking the packaging.  Megan French, Consumer Writer at MoneySavingExpert.com, said: “It’s easy to fall for fancy packaging but you could be paying triple the price for identical medication.

“You need to look for the PL number on the box or leaflet, which will look something like PL 12063/0066. If two products have the same PL number they are identical and so not worth paying a higher price for.
“Even if you can’t find identical PL numbers it’s often possible to save a lot by swapping from branded and even leadings pharmacies’ own-brands to generic medication, which has the same active ingredients. Just make sure you check with a pharmacist if unsure, and if you’re on any other medication or have any allergies.”

The Sun Online's own investigation into over-the-counter drugs revealed similarly shocking findings in October.

We reported how shoppers were paying up to sixteen times more for popular brand name medicines that do exactly the same thing as cheaper pills.

Doctify GP Dr Martin Saweirs said at the time that doctors have long known that there is no proven benefit to taking a branded painkiller over the generic equivalent.

He said: “All medications sold in the UK are strictly tested and have to be proven to be the drug they claim to be. As such, the active ingredients in these products are near identical and have near identical practical effects.

“I have always advocated my patients buy the cheapest paracetamol and ibuprofen you can find in any supermarket, as these will work just as well as the branded equivalents, which often cost up to 10 times the price.”