Pharma Times | Kevin Grogan
The European Commission has ended its probe into alleged infringement
of antitrust rules by AstraZeneca and Takeda's Nycomed unit.
The investigation focused on "suspected individual or joint action to
delay the market entry of generic medicines", the subject of the
Commission's pharmaceutical sector-wide competition inquiry which started
in January 2008 and concluded in July 2009. Later, in November 2010, it launched
unannounced inspections at the premises of AstraZeneca and Nycomed in several
European countries.
At the time, AstraZeneca told PharmaTimes World News that the
inspections related to alleged practices regarding the antiulcerant Nexium
(esomeprazole) in Europe. Now the company says it is pleased that the
Commission has ceased its investigation, adding that "we take compliance
with all laws seriously and have a fundamental commitment to doing business in
an ethical and proper manner".