If found guilty, the companies face turnover-based fines.
Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has uncovered a cartel involving the supply of medicines valued at over 1 billion rubles (approx. $9 million). The agency has opened antitrust cases against two companies, PrimaPharm LLC and ProPharm LLC, suspected of colluding to fix prices in public sector healthcare procurement, FAS announced.
"The tenders in question were for the needs of healthcare institutions across 54 Russian regions, including those related to the National Project "Healthcare","
the agency’s press service stated.
The investigation focuses on allegations that the companies coordinated their actions to avoid competition, using a common strategy when bidding separately or jointly on contracts to supply medicines. These include drugs for citizens entitled to state social assistance, as well as essential and vital medicines.
If found guilty, the companies face turnover-based fines, according to the FAS.
Source: FAS