In order to verify the alleged regulation infringements, the institution organized unexpected inspections at the headquarters of Bayer SRL, part of the Bayer Group, Baxter AG, part of Swiss Baxter, Croatia-based Belupo Pharmaceutical&Cosmetics and local drugmaker Sintofarm, the Competition Council announced Friday.
„The pharmaceutical sector is a priority for the Competition Council, given the existing malfunctions. Thus, we will intervene when necessary to reestablish the competition on this market, so that everyone can have access to drugs at competitive prices,” the institution’s president Bogdan Chiritoiu said.
In case the authority discovers competition rules infringements, the companies risk fines of up to 10% of their turnover. If they cooperate with the institution, they might obtain immunity to the sanctions or 50% lower fines.
The Competition Council currently initiated several investigations on the pharmaceutical sector, in order to identify and mend competition problems.