We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
Accept
  • SKIP TO CONTENT
  • SKIP NAVIGATION
  • Drug News
    • Trending
    • Commercial Operations
    • GMPs
    • FDA Enforcement Actions
    • Inspections and Audits
    • Postmarket Safety
    • Quality
    • Regulatory Affairs
    • Research and Development
    • Submissions and Approvals
    • FDAnews Drug Weekly
    • FDAnews
  • Device News
    • Trending
    • Commercial Operations
    • FDA Enforcement Actions
    • Inspections and Audits
    • Postmarket Safety
    • Quality
    • Regulatory Affairs
    • Research and Development
    • Submissions and Approvals
    • FDAnews Device Weekly
    • FDAnews
  • Books
    • FDAnews Books Library
    • Drug Books
    • Device Books
  • Training/Events
    • Webinar Training Pass
    • Events
  • Resources
    • Form 483s Database
    • FDA Approved Drugs
    • White Papers
  • CenterWatch
  • About Us
    • The Company
    • FDAnews Editorial Board
    • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Home » Merck Antitrust Scheme Frustrated by … Merck, UK Regulators Say

Merck Antitrust Scheme Frustrated by … Merck, UK Regulators Say

March 22, 2019

Merck may not have broken any antitrust laws with a discount scheme for its rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade—but not for lack of trying, British regulators concluded.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has decided not to pursue antitrust charges over a discount program Merck put together that offered a sliding scale of discounts for Remicade (infliximab)—the more drug bought, the deeper the discount.

In announcing their decision, the regulators said the “discount scheme was designed to delay or reduce competition,” but it just didn’t work.

Merck misjudged the attitudes of National Health Service officials toward competing biosimilars, and the “relative strength of the financial incentive” offered by the discounts wasn’t as strong as the pharma company had guessed, CMA found.

View today's stories

Drugs Regulatory Affairs

    Upcoming Events

    • 28Sep

      The Cost of Counterfeiting: Why You Need a Plan to Secure Your Medical Device Supply Chain

    • 28Sep

      Calculating Sample Size to Satisfy FDA Expectations

    • 11Oct

      GMP Quality Management vSummit 2023: Where Quality Meets Risk

    • 16Oct

      MAGI@home Clinical Research Conference 2023

    • 26Oct

      FDA in 2024: What to Expect in an Election Year

    • 08Nov

      18th Annual FDA Inspections vSummit

    Featured Products

    • FDA, FTC and DOJ Enforcement of Medical Device Regulations

      FDA, FTC and DOJ Enforcement of Medical Device Regulations

    • Using Real-World Evidence in Drug and Device Submissions

      Using Real-World Evidence in Drug and Device Submissions

    Featured Stories

    • Manufacturing Cost is Key Issue Facing Gene Therapy Products, Marks Says

    • Artificial Womb Technology Not Yet Ready for Human Trials Adcomm Says

    • Top Concern for CBER is Marketing of Unapproved Biologics, Says FDA Official

    • FDA Deems Medline Industries’ Saline Solution Vial Recall as Class 1

    The Revised ICH E8: A Guide to New Clinical Trial Requirements

    Learn More
    • Drug Products
      • Quality
      • Regulatory Affairs
      • GMPs
      • Inspections and Audits
      • Postmarket Safety
      • Submissions and Approvals
      • Research and Development
      • Commercial Operations
    • Device Products
      • Quality
      • Regulatory Affairs
      • QSR
      • Inspections and Audits
      • Postmarket Safety
      • Submissions and Approvals
      • Research and Development
      • Commercial Operations
    • Clinical Products
      • Trial Design
      • Data Integrity
      • GCP
      • Inspections and Audits
      • Transparency
    • Privacy Policy
    • Do Not Sell or Share My Data
    Footer Logo

    300 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

    Phone 703.538.7600 – Toll free 888.838.5578

    Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing