A hard blow for Servier: the European competition authority accuses the laboratory of having prevented the appearance of generics of its flagship molecule, perindopril.
Another case involving the Servier laboratories. According to newspaper information The echoes, the French laboratory is concerned by an investigation by the European Commission. Its findings, which should be delivered on July 9, no later than the 23rd, seriously threaten the manufacturer.
The fine could be heavy for Servier laboratories. The European competition authority accuses the laboratory of having prevented the arrival of generics for the molecule perindopril, a drug that inhibits angiotensin. It helps to rest the heart and reduce blood pressure. In 2008, a study found that Europeans waited on average 7 months after the expiration of a patent to access generic forms. Brussels therefore carried out an investigation of several laboratories, in particular their practices, in order to understand the reasons.
100 million euros
The European Commission criticizes the Servier laboratories for two elements. They would have made payments to generic manufacturers so that they do not enter the market. The French laboratory defends itself by invoking payments which were intended to settle a legal dispute. Second element: Brussels accuses Servier of having bought the patents essential for the production of perindopril. The aim of the maneuver was to prevent competition from developing generic drugs. But, according to Servier, the purchase of these patents would not have blocked competition since the technologies in question required several years of development.
Last year, a similar investigation led to condemn the Danish Lundbeck to a penalty of 100 million euros for the same facts.
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