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France: More woes for Novartis, Roche after Italy fine

By  |  March 12, 2014

Pharmaceutical rivals Novartis and Roche are facing an antirust investigation in France just days after Italian regulators fined the companies for alleged collusion.

Reports say the Swiss rivals were accused of colluding to prevent the use of a cancer drug made by Roche for use to treat an eye disease. Specifically, the companies are said to have blocked that drug’s distribution in favor of a more expensive drug marketed by both companies.

After Italy fined the companies, reports say France’s Health Ministry sought an investigation into the matter by the Finance Ministry; regulators confirmed the investigation is “ongoing.”

Full Content: Bloomberg

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