Remicade: alleged abusive discount scheme
| Case Outcome | CA98 - no grounds for action |
| Decision Date | 02 December 2015 |
| Date | 02 December 2015 |
| Subject Matter | CA98 and civil cartels |
| Court | Competition and Markets Authority (EW) |
No Grounds For Action Decision
Competition Act 1998
Remicade
50236
Addressed to:
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
Merck & Co., Inc.
14 March 2019
Page 2 of 69
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Page 3 of 69
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and summary ................................................................................. 4
A. Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
B. Summary ................................................................................................... 6
2. Factual background ........................................................................................... 9
A. Infliximab, Remicade and Biosimilars ........................................................ 9
B. The structure of secondary healthcare in the NHS .................................. 13
C. Prescribing and purchasing decisions in secondary healthcare in the NHS
................................................................................................................ 17
D. The tendering process within the NHS .................................................... 21
E. MSD's Discount Scheme ......................................................................... 22
F. MSD's revised pricing proposals for Remicade ....................................... 27
G. Changes in prices and volumes of Remicade and Biosimilars ................ 28
3. Market definition and dominant position........................................................... 31
A. Market definition ...................................................................................... 31
B. Dominant position .................................................................................... 36
4. Abuse............................................................................................................... 41
A. Legal framework ...................................................................................... 41
B. The CMA's analysis of MSD's Discount Scheme .................................... 46
5. The CMA's conclusion ..................................................................................... 69
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