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.
President Klaus Iohannis is to hold consultations with the parliamentary parties on nominating a candidate for the prime minister job on Sunday, December 22, the Presidential Administration announced. The president, whose mandate has been extended after the
Step into 2025 with music, excitement, and unforgettable performances! New Year’s Eve at JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel is not just a celebration – it’s a grand spectacle where world-class entertainment, live music, and vibrant energy come together for a night to remember. This year, we’ve curated a sensational lineup of artists and performers to […]
The Bucharest Police recently announced that the city will host several commemorative ceremonies marking 35 years since the Romanian Revolution of December 1989, causing traffic restrictions around the city. The restrictions will be in place from Friday to Sunday, December 20-22, 2024. On Friday, December 20, at around 10:00 AM, a religious/military ceremony with wreath-laying […]
Alex Florența, the General Prosecutor of Romania, said on Friday, December 20, that harsher punishments are needed to combat incitement to violence and Legionnaire propaganda (related to Mișcarea Legionară, a Romanian interwar fascist movement) in public spaces effectively. To that end, the office of the General Prosecutor will propose new measures to combat such phenomena. However, […]
Dennis Lloyd, Inna, Damian & Brothers, and Killa Fonic are among the artists who will perform at Flight Festival 2025. The festival is scheduled to take place between June 20 and June 22 at Timișoara’s Banat Village Museum. For three days, the venue “will open its doors for an experience that combines music, nature, and […]
Around 67% of Romanians believe that the economic situation will worsen, 7% higher than the previous year, according to the EY Consumer Index Romania 2024. Findings suggest a challenging start of 2025 both economically and politically in Romania. Additionally, in 2024, more than half of respondents (59%) were extremely concerned about conflicts and external wars. […]
