Pfizer

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accused US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and drug firm Flynn Pharma of overpricing an anti-epilepsy drug, phenytoin sodium capsules.

The CMA has issued a statement of objections to both the firms, stating that they have breached competition law.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

CMA antitrust enforcement senior director Ann Pope said: "While businesses are generally free to set prices as they see fit, those that hold a dominant position have a special responsibility to ensure that their conduct does not impair genuine competition and that their prices are not excessive and unfair."

"Those that hold a dominant position have a special responsibility to ensure that their conduct does not impair genuine competition and that their prices are not excessive and unfair."

Considered to be an important drug for 50,000 patients in the UK, Phenytoin sodium capsules are indicated to treat epilepsy in order to prevent and control seizures.

Pfizer first produces phenytoin sodium capsules and then supplies to UK firm Flynn Pharma, which then distributes them to wholesalers and pharmacies in the country.

See Also:

The CMA’s statement of objections refers both the prices that Pfizer has charged to Flynn Pharma and the prices that the latter has charged to its customers, since September 2012.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Before September 2012, Pfizer produced and sold phenytoin sodium capsules to UK wholesalers and pharmacies under the brand name Epanutin.

Pfizer divested the UK distribution rights for Epanutin to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded the drug and commenced selling its version from September 2012.

According to CMA, Pfizer continued to produce the drug and sold to Flynn at prices between eight and 17 times higher than those at which it had previously sold Epanutin in the UK, while Flynn sold the drug to customers at prices which were between 25 and 27 times higher than those historically charged by Pfizer.

Image: CMA has charged Pfizer and Flynn Pharma for selling an anti-epilepsy drug at excessive and unfair prices. Photo: courtesy of UK Competition and Markets Authority / Crown copyright.