competition

Competition watchdog poised to approve Well’s acquisition of 46 pharmacies

Multiple has found buyers for seven existing branches to address takeover concerns

WIN £4,000+ WORTH* OF THE BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR!

The Pharmacy Show 2018 is partnering this year with The Beauty Awards 2018 and OK!.

Flarin competition winners

Two lucky pharmacy assistants have each won a luxury coffee maker after completing a competition from painkilling brand, Flarin

Paying through the nose

Last month we heard the unedifying news that pharmaceutical companies were ripping off the NHS by charging inflated prices for generic medicines. The practice was first revealed in June 2016 by The Times, but it took a further six months for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to announce its decision to fine Pfizer a record £84.2m and Flynn Pharma an additional £5.2m for charging “excessive and unfair prices” for phenytoin capsules.

It seems incredible that generic medicines can be priced at levels many times higher than the cost of the original branded product.

Paying through the nose

Last month we heard the unedifying news that pharmaceutical companies were ripping off the NHS by charging inflated prices for generic medicines. The practice was first revealed in June 2016 by The Times, but it took a further six months for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to announce its decision to fine Pfizer a record £84.2m and Flynn Pharma an additional £5.2m for charging “excessive and unfair prices” for phenytoin capsules.

It seems incredible that generic medicines can be priced at levels many times higher than the cost of the original branded product.

Actavis accused of increasing hydrocortisone price by 12,000%

Price of hydrocortisone 10mg tablets rose from 70p in 2008 to £88 per pack in March 2016

Pfizer and Flynn fined £90m for phenytoin price hike

CMA imposes record fine on Pfizer and Flynn for charging excessive prices for phenytoin sodium capsules

Understanding competition law

Pharmacy lawyer Richard Hough explains how competition rules affect community pharmacy