Focus Antitrust - 25 October 2017

In The News

CMA opens further investigation in pharmaceutical sector

The CMA has announced the launch of another investigation in the pharmaceutical sector under Chapters I and II of the Competition Act 1998 and Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The investigation relates to suspected anti-competitive agreements and/or concerted practices and suspected abuse of dominance in relation to the supply of certain generic pharmaceutical products. Click here.

CMA closes investigation into online sales restrictions for TGA mobility scooters

The CMA has closed its investigation into restrictions on retailers of TGA mobility scooters from advertising prices online or from advertising online below specified prices. This follows TGA withdrawing these restrictions and notifying its retailers that they are free to advertise the prices of TGA branded mobility scooters online as they wish. Click here.

EU

Articles 101 and 102

• The General Court has dismissed an appeal by a confederation of watch repairers against a European Commission decision to reject its complaint concerning a refusal by watch manufacturers to supply spare parts to independent repairers. Click here.
• The European Commission has confirmed that its officials have carried out dawn raids at the premises of a number of car manufacturers in Germany. The inspections are related to Commission concerns that several German car manufacturers may have violated Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Click here.

Mergers

• The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Bard by BD. Both companies supply medical devices. The decision is conditional on the divestment of BD's core needle biopsy devices business, and tissue marker product that is currently under development. Click here.

UK

CMA

• The CMA has referred Electro Rent's acquisition of Microlease for a detailed phase 2 merger investigation. This follows Electro Rent informing the CMA that it was no longer able to proceed with undertakings in lieu of a reference, as the proposed purchaser of the business to be divested had withdrawn. Click here.

This article was written by Paul Stone. For more information, please contact Paul on +44 (0)20 7203 5110 or at paul.stone@crsblaw.com.