Combogesic® was invented and developed in New Zealand by Dr. Hartley Atkinson, founder of AFT Pharmaceuticals. First introduced in New Zealand in 2009, this world-first specific combination analgesic, pairing acetaminophen and ibuprofen in a single fixed-dose formulation, has since become a cornerstone of AFT’s global product portfolio and is now sold in more than 60 countries around the world.
A Formulation Born from Unmet Clinical Need
Dr. Atkinson developed Combogesic to address a straightforward but important clinical question: could combining two of the most widely used and trusted over-the-counter analgesics into a single, precisely dosed product offer patients more effective, more convenient pain relief than either ingredient alone? That question shaped more than two decades of research and formulation work, and it continues to guide AFT’s ongoing investment in expanding the Combogesic platform including tablet, oral liquid, rapid-dissolving, and hospital-grade intravenous (IV) formulations designed for both consumer and clinical settings.
Steady, Disciplined International Expansion
What started in New Zealand has grown into a genuinely global brand. Combogesic (marketed as Maxigesic in many international markets) is now available in 87 countries spanning Australasia, Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa, supported by a network of AFT-operated business hubs and distribution partners. In the United States, AFT has been advancing both consumer-facing over-the-counter launches and Combogesic IV in partnership with Hikma Pharmaceuticals, alongside the broader rollout of Combogesic Rapid tablets. Momentum has followed in the United Kingdom, where Combogesic tablets are now distributed through more than 2,500 pharmacy locations and Combogesic IV continues to build formulary listings within the NHS system, and in Canada, where Combogesic IV has launched alongside a growing selected OTC offering.