India: CCI orders detailed probe against pharma major Roche

India’s Competition Commission has ordered a detailed investigation against big pharma stalwart Roche for allegedly abusing its market position for certain cancer drugs.

The regulator’s decision has come on a complaint filed by drug makers Biocon and Mylan Pharmaceuticals.

After a detailed analysis of the various allegations made against Switzerland’s Hoffmann-La Roche and its group entities, the CCI has concluded that there is prima facie evidence of competition norm violations.

For the case, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered as the relevant market that for biological drugs based on Trastuzumab (including its biosimilars) in India.

In a 36-page order, made public today, the CCI said a dominant enterprise is endowed with a special responsibility not to allow its conduct to impair undistorted competition in the relevant market.

“Prima facie, it appears to the Commission that Roche has shirked such responsibility and indulged in abusive conduct,” the order, dated April 21, said.

Full Content: Live Mint

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