Post by account_disabled on Dec 30, 2023 23:14:25 GMT -5
AFlynn Pharma nearly m for overcharging the NHS for an antiepilepsy drug. Summary The Competition and Markets Authority CMA has imposed a record fine of .m on pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer and .m on distributor Flynn Pharma after finding that each of the two breached competition law by charging excessive and abusive prices in the UK for phenytoin sodium capsules an antiseizure medicine. The CMA also ordered these companies to reduce their prices. The fines sanction price increases of up to overnight after the drug was deliberately made generic in September.
For example the amount the National Health Service NHS was charged Country Email List for mg packets of medicine skyrocketed from . to . before its reduction to . in May . As a result of the price rises NHS spending on phenytoin sodium capsules increased from approximately million pounds per year in to approximately million pounds in . UK drug prices were also many times higher than Pfizers prices for the same drug in any other European country. Phenytoin sodium capsules are used in the treatment of epilepsy to prevent and control seizures and are an important medicine for around patients in the UK.
Epilepsy patients already taking such capsules should not usually switch to other products including another manufacturers version of the drug because of the risk of loss of seizure control which can have serious health consequences. As such the NHS had no choice but to pay the increased drug prices. Before September Pfizer marketed and sold phenytoin sodium capsules to wholesalers and pharmacies in the UK under the brand name Epanutin and the prices of the drug were also regulated. In September Pfizer sold the UK distribution rights for the the generic drug meaning it was no longer subject to price regulation. As of September Pfizer continued to market phenytoin sodium capsules and supplied them.
For example the amount the National Health Service NHS was charged Country Email List for mg packets of medicine skyrocketed from . to . before its reduction to . in May . As a result of the price rises NHS spending on phenytoin sodium capsules increased from approximately million pounds per year in to approximately million pounds in . UK drug prices were also many times higher than Pfizers prices for the same drug in any other European country. Phenytoin sodium capsules are used in the treatment of epilepsy to prevent and control seizures and are an important medicine for around patients in the UK.
Epilepsy patients already taking such capsules should not usually switch to other products including another manufacturers version of the drug because of the risk of loss of seizure control which can have serious health consequences. As such the NHS had no choice but to pay the increased drug prices. Before September Pfizer marketed and sold phenytoin sodium capsules to wholesalers and pharmacies in the UK under the brand name Epanutin and the prices of the drug were also regulated. In September Pfizer sold the UK distribution rights for the the generic drug meaning it was no longer subject to price regulation. As of September Pfizer continued to market phenytoin sodium capsules and supplied them.