Press Release: Antitrust: shortcomings in pharmaceutical sector require further action

Market entry of generic drugs is delayed and there is a decline in the number of novel medicines reaching the market, according to the European Commission's final report on competition in the pharmaceutical sector. The sector inquiry suggested that company practices are among the causes, but does not exclude other factors such as shortcomings in the regulatory framework. As a follow up, the Commission intends to intensify its scrutiny of the pharmaceutical sector under EC antitrust law, including continued monitoring of settlements between originator and generic drug companies. The first antitrust investigations are already under way. The report also called on Member States to introduce legislation to facilitate the uptake of generic drugs. The report noted near universal support amongst stakeholders for a Community Patent and specialised patent litigation system in Europe.

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European Commission: MEMO/09/322: Antitrust: Commission opens formal proceedings against Les Laboratoires Servier and a number of generic pharmaceutical companies http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/322&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: MEMO/09/321: Antitrust: shortcomings in pharmaceutical sector require further action – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/321&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: SPEECH/09/333: E.ON and GDF gas market sharing, GDF commitments, Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry Final Report Press http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/09/333&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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