PARALLEL DRUGS TRADE LOBBY FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PFIZER.

The European Association of Euro-Pharmaceutical Companies (EAEPC) filed a complaint with the European Commission on October 17 against the US drugs giant Pfizer. The complaint alleges that Pfizer is preventing the export of medicines from Spain to other EU countries. The EAEPC claims Pfizer has signed contracts with a select group of wholesalers. Based on an elaborate information system it is implementing, Pfizer will be able to determine whether the medicines it sells to these wholesalers - at a higher price than that negotiated with the Spanish authorities - are re-sold in Spain or exported. If they have not been exported, it will grant a rebate, effectively introducing a non-transparent dual price - one for the domestic market and one for export. This is clearly in breach of Article 81 of the EU Treaty outlawing...