Spanish competition regulator CNMC has announced the launch of a probe to look into the country’s wholesale distribution of medication. The probe has been motivated by possible barriers to competition detected by the regulator, attributed to the current structure of the market.
The CNMC has said it recognizes the need to protect the public interest, which is inherent in the regulation of this market. However, they add, it is also essential for regulation to adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality, avoiding the introduction or protection of unfair restrictions to competition.
The preliminary investigation by the CNMC has detected a seres of possible restrictions to competition, which will be elaborated upon during further investigations. The analysis will be complemented by a study into alternative mechanisms, such as centralized purchasing or public auction contracts, in order to determine their impact on prices and market efficiency. The probe will also look to study the design and usage of both of these mechanisms as tools for introducing greater competition in the sector.
Full Content: CNMC
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
FTC Pushes Review of CoStar’s Commercial Real Estate Antitrust Case
Jan 31, 2024 by
CPI
UK’s CMA Investigates Ardonagh’s Atlanta Group and Markerstudy Merger
Jan 31, 2024 by
CPI
Greenberg Traurig Grow Financial Regulatory and Compliance Practice
Jan 31, 2024 by
CPI
Dutch Regulator Fines Uber €10 Million for Privacy Violations
Jan 31, 2024 by
CPI
DOJ Investigates AI Competition, Eyes Microsoft’s OpenAI Deal: Bloomberg
Jan 31, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – The Rule(s) of Reason
Jan 29, 2024 by
CPI
Evolving the Rule of Reason for Legacy Business Conduct
Jan 29, 2024 by
CPI
The Object Identity
Jan 29, 2024 by
CPI
In Praise of Rules-Based Antitrust
Jan 29, 2024 by
CPI
The Future of State AG Antitrust Enforcement and Federal-State Cooperation
Jan 29, 2024 by
CPI