South Africa: Aspen welcomes competition probe

Pharma giant Aspen says it welcomes a potential probe into alleged anti-competitive behavior.

This comes after the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, last Wednesday said it would write to the Competition Commission and the Medicines Control Council to request that they investigate the market conduct of Aspen Pharmacare, the leading South African pharmaceutical company.

That call came after reports in the United Kingdom and South Africa detailing how staff at Aspen Pharmacare allegedly plotted to dispose of life-saving cancer medication in order to drive up its price across Europe.

In a statement issued on Monday, Aspen said it welcomed the “process and the opportunity to categorically set aside such allegations of anti-competitive behaviour”.

The company notes it is “committed to full and constructive engagement with the Competition Commission should it wish to pursue such an investigation”.

Full Content: Eyewitness News

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