Tag Archives: Anti-Competitive Conduct

A multi-agency pharmaceutical task force looks to review antitrust issues that arise during mergers and acquisitions

A task force, composed of key antitrust enforcement agencies including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Canadian Competition Bureau, is seeking information from the public regarding the effects of pharmaceutical mergers. This information will be used to update the practices for future pharmaceutical mergers by the task force’s constituent agencies.  Following concerns within the … Continue Reading

House To Hold Hearing On Patent Settlements Involving Generics And Impact On Competition

On June 3, 2009, the House Judiciary Courts and Competition Policy Subcommittee will hold a hearing, "Pay to Delay: Are Patent Settlements That Delay Generic Drug Market Entry Anticompetitive?" (http://www.judiciary.house.gov/hearings/hear_090603.html), sure to interest all prescription drug manufacturers. No witness list is posted yet.… Continue Reading

Hospital Agrees to Pay $700,000 To Texas AG For Allegedly Orchestrating an Insurer Boycott of Competitor

In a time of economic crisis, when hospitals, like most other businesses, are struggling to operate within a constrained budget, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System ("Memorial Hermann") agreed Jan. 26, 2009 to pay $700,000 to settle claims of the Texas Attorney General alleging that Memorial Hermann orchestrated an agreement among health plans not to do business with a new competitor, Town and County Hospital ("Town and Country"). According to the complaint, Memorial Hermann, which owns and operates acute care hospitals furnishing inpatient care, is the largest hospital system in the Houston area. Town and County, a physician-owned hospital, opened in November 2005. Before opening, Town and County approached insurers to enter into contracts to be included in those insurers' hospital networks. Memorial Hermann allegedly took steps to discourage insurers from entering into contracts with Town and Country, including sending notification of an intent to terminate its contract with one insurer as to all Memorial Hermann facilities, and subsequently renegotiating a contract with the insurer for substantially higher rates.… Continue Reading
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