Drug bid rigging Distributing charge for each drug maker or illegal adjustment on November 27 19:07
The Fair Trade Commission suspected that the antitrust law had been breached over allegedly negotiating bids for drugs ordered by 57 hospitals operated by the Regional Medical Function Promotion Organization. Searched 4 pharmaceutical wholesalers. Since the four companies may have made unauthorized adjustments, such as assigning orders to drug manufacturers, the Fair Trade Commission intends to clarify the actual situation.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission is suspected that 57 hospitals operated by the Independent Administrative Agency “Regional Medical Function Promotion Organization” nationwide have been negotiating over bids for pharmaceuticals ordered in June 2018. We searched four major wholesalers, Mediceo, Alfresa, Toho Pharmaceutical, and Suzuken, allegedly violating antitrust laws.
According to officials, the hospital ordered two years' worth of medicines, the total amount of which was about 70 billion yen, and the four companies were suspected of discussing in advance several years ago and deciding the contractor. That is.
In addition, the four companies learned through interviews with relevant parties that they may have made incorrect adjustments by assigning responsibilities to each drug manufacturer when deciding on a contractor.
In addition, the “price” of pharmaceuticals has been revised by the government investigating wholesale prices to hospitals, etc., but if the wholesale price goes down, the drug price will also go down, so the four companies are trying to secure profits by keeping the drug price high There is also.
The Fair Trade Commission will analyze the seized materials in detail and will clarify the actual situation with a view to prosecution of the prosecution.