China: Regulator to launch antitrust probe into foreign pharm companies

China’s price regulator plans to launch a “large-scale and systematic” anti-trust investigation soon into foreign and local drug firms, state newspaper China Daily said, citing a source close to the regulator.

The planned probe comes after China’s state planning agency, recently summoned US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer, as well as a number of distribution companies and medical device manufacturers, to collect data and information, the newspaper said on Saturday.

It said that the National Development and Reform Commission, which wants to improve order in the drug market, is collecting evidence to see whether these companies may have violated competition regulations, though there was no proof so far that any currently do.

The NDRC did not respond to calls and a fax from Reuters outside office hours seeking comment.

China is pursuing an ambitious programme of healthcare reforms to improve the public health system and to reduce its reliance on generic and more innovative drugs from overseas.

Full Content: Live Mint

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