The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has cleared South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare’s approach for Australia-based Sigma Pharmaceuticals, providing the company sells certain pharmaceutical brands.

Australia’s competition watchdog cleared the $900m approach as long as specific brands are sold so the takeover does not substantially lessen competition.

The hearing had been delayed following ACCC concerns that the purchase of Sigma’s generics business would allow Aspen to become the sole operator in the market for certain drugs.