Mexico watchdog finds big pharma faces no competition on some drugs

Sanofi India

09/08/2017 15:30

By Stefanie  Eschenbacher 
    MEXICO CITY, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Pharmaceutical companies 
including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and  Sanofi-Aventis face no 
competition for certain drugs in Mexico from generics that are 
readily available elsewhere, a senior Mexican anti-trust 
official said on Wednesday. 
    The companies have done nothing illegal, Juan Manuel Espino, 
Cofece's director of economic studies, said at a presentation of 
the body's probe into the Mexican drugs market that found 
regulatory failings contributed to a lack of competition. 
    The report, released by Cofece on Wednesday, found that 
pharmaceutical firms use "legal strategies" to extend drug 
exclusivity after patents expire, blocking competition. 
    None of the firms immediately responded to a request for 
comment.   
 
 
 (Reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) 
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Keywords: MEXICO COMPETITION/MEDICINE