Romania Fines Bayer $2 Million For Antitrust
March 21st, 2012 // 12:50 pm @ jmpickett
The Competition Council in Romania levied a total of nearly $16 million in fines on Bayer and one other drugmaker, Sintofarm, along with nine distributors for striking deals that prohibited exports. Although Bayer was fined roughly $2 million, the largest penalty is being paid by one of the distributors, MediPlus, which will pay about $3.5 million.
The penalties concluded an investigation that began in 2008 and also examined alleged anti-trust practices by members of two trade associations – the Association of Pharmaceuticals Distributors and Importers and the Association of Pharmaceuticals Distributors in Romania. However, the council did not impost sanctions on either group.
“The cartel, considered serious violations of competition, had to hinder competition by isolating the Romanian market and preventing trade (to) other markets, including the common market,†Bogdan Chiritoiu, the council president, says in a statement. “Involvment of (these) distributors in export activities… lead to the risk of inadequate supply of the Romanian market because wholesalers are required to satisfy the priority of meet market requirements in Romania.â€
The investigation was opened in October 2008 following a decision of by the drugmakers and distributors to halt shipments to hospitals and pharmacies. According to the representatives of the two trade associations, this decision was made after the Romanian Ministry of Health refused to adjust the price of mmedicines that depending on foreign exchange rates
