Are max strength cold and flu pills worth the money?

Are max strength cold and flu pills worth the money? Your throat's painful, your head throbs and your blocked nose has kept you awake all night. It's that time of year again - flu season - and you'll try anything to feel normal. But is that pricey max strength flu remedy really any better than a basic box of painkillers? The big brands have been around for a while, they've been tested, and there are adverts on the TV saying they're really good, says Prof Jayne Lawrence, head of the pharmacy division at the University of Manchester.