Drugs groups braced for EU probes

On 15 January 2008 the European Commission launched an inquiry into competition in the pharmaceuticals sector. The preliminary findings were reported on the 28 November 2008.

The report finds that competition in the industry does not work as well as it should. According to the preliminary findings there is evidence that originator companies have
engaged in practices with the objective of delaying or blocking market entry of competing medicines.

ESO: Background information: Big drug companies raided in EU probe http://www.europeansources.info/record/big-drug-companies-raided-in-eu-probe/

European Commission: DG Competition: Sector Inquiries: Pharmaceuticals http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/sectors/pharmaceuticals/inquiry/index.html

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/08/734: Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections at pharmaceutical companies http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/734&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

The Economist, No.8609, 6.12.08: http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12724895

European Commission: Press Release: IP/08/1829: Antitrust: preliminary report on pharmaceutical sector inquiry highlights cost of pharma companies' delaying tactics http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1829&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Deutsche Welle, 28.11.08: EU Slams Drug Makers for Delaying or Blocking Cheaper Generics http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3828686,00.html

BBC News, 28.11.08: Drug firms 'block cheap medicine' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7754048.stm

EurActiv, 28.11.08: Commission clashes with pharma groups over drug patents http://www.euractiv.com/health/commission-clashes-pharma-groups-news-220860

EFPIA: Press Release, 28.11.08: Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry - a Missed Opportunity http://www.efpia.eu/Content/Default.asp?PageID=559&DocID=5933

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