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Commission launches sector inquiry into pharmaceuticals

10 April 2008

The Commission has launched an inquiry into the pharmaceuticals sector, using its powers under Article 17 of Regulation 1/2003 and conducting inspections at a number of pharmaceutical companies.

The Commission is concerned that competition in the sector may not be working well for consumers. In particular, there are indications that fewer new medicines are being brought to market and the release of generic products is being delayed.

The Commission intends to look at whether these problems are being caused by breaches of the competition rules – such as anti-competitive misuse of patent rights.

It remains to be seen whether the competition rules will be able to address any perceived problems in this area, or whether other factors, such as the different regulatory regimes in place in each Member State, are causing the market problems identified by the Commission.

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