Sanofi under investigation for anti-competitive practices
pharmafile | May 20, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Plavix, Sanofi
Sanofi-Aventis is to be investigated by the French Competition Authority for anti-competitive practices, following allegations it prevented the launch of generic rivals for Plavix.
An original complaint was made by French-based generics firm Teva Santé in November 2009, alleging that Sanofi’s practices was limiting the development and market access of generic versions of anti-platelet agent Plavix.
The FCA said it now intends to carry out an in-depth investigation on Sanofi to shut out generic competition in regards to Teva’s complaint.
According to the Authority, Sanofi’s communications with scientists and practitioners emphasised differences between Plavix and competing generics, including Teva’s clopidogrel 75 mg, without revealing that these differences have no impact on the therapeutic efficacy of the product, and that the generic formulation has been fully tested and approved for use by medical authorities across Europe.
Plavix, co-marketed with Bristol-Myers Squibb, is the second biggest selling drug in the world, making $9.8 billion last year, but faces US patent expiry in 2011 and expiry in Europe by 2013. Teva Santé is currently one of six European generic competitors hoping to gain a market share in this lucrative drug.
Dr. Gerard van Odijk, chief exectutive of Teva Europe, welcomed the Authority’s ruling: “We believe in a fair and open market that delivers affordable healthcare for patients and the taxpayer across Europe.
“The Authority’s decision to investigate Sanofi-Aventis’ behaviour underlines our view that such practices are likely to prevent access to competition and damage the long-term interests of patients.”
Maurice Chagnaud, chief executive of Teva Santé, said: “Innovator companies need to understand that they cannot use misleading practices to prevent competition from therapeutically equivalent and effective generic products.”
Chagnaud added: “Generic medicines help make healthcare affordable, and we consider that practices aimed at stifling fair competition are unlawful.”
Ben Adams
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