February 20, 2014
As part of its upcoming Global Forum on Competition, the OECD has published an interesting new report on competition in the pharmaceuticals sector entitled Competition Issues in the Distribution of Pharmaceuticals. This new report, with submissions from Canada (the Competition Bureau) and United States (DoJ and FTC), includes discussions on a variety of competition/antitrust topics related to the distribution of brand and generic pharmaceticals.
The Canadian submission includes discussions on: the Canadian pharmaceutical sector, distribution of pharmaceuticals in Canada, activities that may raise competition/antitrust issues, brief summaries of the Competition Bureau’s past efforts in the pharmaceutical area (e.g., Canadian Generic Drug Sector Study) and statements of the Bureau’s enforcement and advocacy policies in the pharmaceutical sector.
OECD introduction:
“Pharmaceuticals are very special products, because of the peculiar characteristics of their demand and supply. Hence their distribution from the manufactures till the final consumer is heavily regulated to ensure that drugs are accessible, affordable, and safely consumed. Despite this need for regulatory constraints, competition can and should play a role in ensuring that the market for the distribution of pharmaceuticals works well for consumers, so that these can benefit from higher quality, greater choice and variety, more innovation and lower prices.
The 2014 Global Forum on Competition (27-28 February) will debate competition issues in the distribution of pharmaceuticals during its second day of discussions. The full-day session aims to provide an overview of how competition works in this market, to identify the main problems that can arise at different levels of the distribution chain and to better understand the interplay between competition and regulation.
Participants will be encouraged to discuss competition cases, and the way regulations (or other forms of government intervention) interact with competition throughout the supply chain, and any advocacy efforts arising from such analysis.
Six experts are expected to live up the discussion and delegations will also have the opportunity to further discuss the topic during breakout sessions in the afternoon.”
For a copy of the new report see: OECD – Competition issues in the distribution of pharmaceuticals.
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