The Competition Council sanctioned five pharmaceutical companies supplying immunoglobulins and other human plasma-derived drugs, as well as the representative association of the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) (Belgium) with fines worth a total of 353.4 million lei (approximately 71 million euros).According to a press release sent on last Tuesday, the sanctioned companies are: Baxalta Gmbh, Switzerland - 109 million lei; CSL Behring Gmbh, Germany - 76.8 million lei; Biotest AG, Germany - 25.5 million lei; Kedrion Spa, Italy -16.1 million lei; Octapharma AG, Switzerland - 125.1 million lei; PPTA, Belgium: 375,521 lei.Following the investigations, launched in 2018, the competition authority found that, in the period 2015-2018, the five companies adopted a coordinated strategy, which aimed at limiting and even interrupting the supply to the Romanian market with immunoglobulins, in order to exert pressure on the authorities to suspend the clawback tax for medicines derived from human blood or human plasma. This way, the companies aimed to create a commercial advantage, namely the improvement of profit margins.The PPTA facilitated these anti-competitive practices and contributed through its own actions to the achievement of the common goal, thereby going beyond the scope of specific activities at the level of an association in order to influence the legislative process.Lack of access to immunoglobulins, as essential medicines for the treatment of multiple serious illnesses, has endangered the lives of patients and led authorities to take crisis measures to provide patients with the necessary medicines, by accessing the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which indicates, by default, the magnitude of the gravity of the situation generated on the national market.The decision of the Competition Authority, which will be published in a non-confidential manner on the institution's Website, can be appealed to the Bucharest Court of Appeal.
Romania’s green startup ecosystem is gaining more and more momentum, driven by a skilled workforce, reforms aligned with EU policies, and the climate emergency, according to a report prepared by Startarium and Impact Hub Bucharest. In 2024, there were over 2,300 startups in Romania, with a total estimated value of approximately EUR 19 billion. Romania […]
The global IT hub established by JTI in Romania has expanded from 140 employees at the beginning of the year to 170 currently, and is set to exceed 200 by the end of 2025. Located in Bucharest, the hub is one of JTI's six technology centers worldwide. The experts in Bucharest provide Digital and IT […]
French-born virtual reality esports center EVA VR has recently opened its Bucharest location, promising a realistic and immersive combat esports experience suitable for corporate team-building events, birthday parties, and various other events. Inaugurated on June 7, the new location is part of an international network, Esports Virtual Arenas, which was established roughly 5 years ago. […]
Investment group ROCA acquired a 20% minority stake in the Adrem energy group, following approval from the Romanian Competition Council. Announced on Tuesday, August 12, the transaction will support Adrem’s strategic development and scaling plans. The investments will be primarily directed towards the expansion and diversification of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects, the development […]
Romanian students spend an average of 13 hours a week on homework, almost twice as much as their peers in Nordic countries, according to data from the OECD’s PISA 2022 study, quoted by ParentED. Finland ranks at the bottom in Europe with just six hours per week, while countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, and the […]
Three foreign citizens suspected of stealing jewelry and other goods during the Untold Festival in Cluj-Napoca were caught by Romanian police officers at the airport. The three, two men and one woman, all between the ages of 30 and 46, were detained while attempting to fly to Barcelona. Police from the Cluj-Napoca Criminal Investigations Bureau […]
