Drug suppliers colluded on ministry contracts, says Russia's anti-trust authority
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Russia's antimonopoly authority, the federal antimonopoly service (FAS), has accused 18 drug manufacturers and distributors of various types of collusion including some that resulted in irregularities in state drug purchase tenders in 2008-09 that could cost Rb3.4 billion ($120 million) in overpayments. The alleged collusion occurred in the bidding process for contracts to supply expensive drugs for seven relatively rare and inherited conditions. FAS said it will look into the case on 11 May, but did not say whether any other state bodies will also be involved. The FAS holds no authority to institute criminal proceeding and/or conduct criminal investigation.