Focus Antitrust 15 July 2020

In The News

CMA imposes fines of £2.3 million on suppliers of fludrocortisone acetate tablets

The CMA has imposed fines of £2.3 million on suppliers of fludrocortisone acetate tablets for agreeing not to compete with one another. Click here. 

CMA closes three investigations into excessive pricing of hand sanitiser

The CMA has closed three of its four investigations into excessive pricing of hand sanitiser during the coronavirus pandemic, concluding that the relevant retailers’ prices do not, or are unlikely to, amount to an abuse of dominance. Click here.

CMA issues supplementary statement of objections in liothyronine excessive pricing case

The CMA has issued a supplementary statement of objections in relation to its liothyronine excessive pricing case. The statement addresses issues arising from the Court of Appeal’s judgment of 10 March 2020 in the phenytoin litigation – a case which relates to excessive and unfair pricing in the pharmaceuticals sector. Click here.

EU

European Commission

• The European Commission is consulting on commitments offered by Aspen to reduce prices for six off-patent cancer medicines by 73% to address the Commission's concerns over excessive pricing. Click here. 
• The European Commission has fined ethylene purchasers €260 million for engaging in a purchasing cartel, after the companies agreed to settle with the Commission. Click here.
• The European Commission has cleared Lotos' acquisition by PKN Orlen, subject to conditions. Click here.

UK

CMA

• The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Taboola.com Ltd of Outbrain Inc. for an in-depth phase 2 merger investigation. Click here.