Pharmaceutical giant, Aspen Pharmacare, said it would welcome the opportunity at the Competition Commission to set aside allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
Aspen was commenting Sunday after the DA said that the Competition Commission had agreed to conduct a preliminary probe into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
DA MP, Wilmot James, laid a complaint with the Commission amid reports detailing how Aspen staff allegedly conspired to dispose of life-saving cancer medicine in order to boost their price across Europe.
James said the DA was concerned that the same practices may have been employed here in South Africa and “therefore believe it is important that any possible anti-competitive behaviour, which would push up the price of medication for our people, must be fully investigated.”
“If these allegations are true and seriously ill patients have been exploited for financial gains, those responsible must be held accountable,” Dr James said.
Aspen said in a statement Sunday that "Aspen welcomes the process and the opportunity to categorically set aside such allegations of anti-competitive behavior. Aspen is committed to full and constructive engagement with the Competition Commission should it wish to pursue such an investigation."
"It is worth noting that pharmaceutical prices are approved by the Department of Health in terms of the Single Exit Price regulatory framework which establishes a universal fixed price for each pharmaceutical product. Aspen has not increased pricing of its products outside of this regulatory framework," the company said.
