A PYMNTS Company

Belgian Competition Authority Accuses Roche of Anticompetitive Practices in Cancer Drug Market

By  |  March 17, 2025
Truepill Appoints President Paul Greenall as CEO

The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has issued a statement of objections to the Roche Group, including its Belgian subsidiary Roche SA, over alleged exclusionary practices aimed at preventing biosimilar competitors from entering the market for two of its anticancer medicines between 2017 and 2020.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    Subscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    According to a statement from the BCA, Roche implemented a strategy designed to delay the adoption of biosimilars of the active substances Rituximab and Trastuzumab, both used in the treatment of specific types of cancer. Per the statement, this approach involved financial incentives offered to Belgian hospitals, discouraging them from holding competitive tenders between Roche and biosimilar manufacturers. Additionally, the BCA asserts that Roche disseminated misleading information regarding the use of biosimilars in combination therapies, further deterring their adoption.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Read more: The Economics of Benefit Management in Prescription-Drug Markets

    The statement of objections claims that Roche held a dominant position in the relevant market at the time and that its actions led hospitals to continue procuring their supplies exclusively from Roche, despite the availability of biosimilars. The BCA argues that this strategy may constitute an abuse of a dominant position, in violation of Article IV.2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    Per the statement, the issuance of objections does not determine the final outcome of the proceedings. Roche will have the opportunity to present its defense, access the investigation file, and respond to the allegations in full.

    The case highlights ongoing concerns about market competition in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly regarding the role of dominant companies in influencing access to biosimilar alternatives.

    Source: Belgian Competition