Italian agency fines Novartis, Roche 180 million euros for manipulation of pharmaceutical market

Italian antitrust authority today fined Novartis and Roche Holdings 180 million euros for collusion and manipulation of the pharmaceutical market in Italy to prevent the use of Avastin in favor of the more expensive drug Lucentis. The investigation was opened two years ago at the insistence of the Italian Society of Ophthalmology (SOI), following the decision of the Italian Medicines Regulatory Agency (AIFA) to block distribution of Avastin for the treatment of macular degeneration. “AIFA backed up the declarations of Novartis and Roche that Avastin should not be used due (Read more...)

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