The European Commission accused the pharmaceutical sector of colluding together, in violation of EU anti trust rules, to delay entry of generic low cost alternatives once patents expire.
London based Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant Astra Zeneca and Swedish drug maker Nycomed were two of the companies whose premises were raided by the Commission last week. While the Commission did not reveal the names of the companies, it did admit that a series of raids had taken place across member states regarding the delay of a generic drug in the market.
According to the Commission, firms are colluding and using various tactics to delay the launch of generic drugs. The pharmaceutical industry has been in the cross hairs of European anti trust investigators following publication of a report commissioned by the previous European Commission. In the report, the sector was widely criticised for anti trust violations.
A Commission statement said: “The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have acted individually or jointly, notably to delay generic entry for a particular medicine.
“If confirmed, this could be a potential violation of EU antitrust rules that prohibit restrictive business practices and/or the abuse of a dominant market position.”
Saturday, December 04, 2010
eGov monitor - EU Anti Trust: Pharmaceutical Sector In Europe Colluded To Delay Entry Of Generic Drugs Says European Commission
via egovmonitor.com
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