This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38233852

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Pfizer fined record £84.2m for overcharging NHS Pfizer fined record £84.2m for overcharging NHS
(35 minutes later)
Drugs giant Pfizer has been fined a record £84.2m by the UK's competition watchdog for overcharging the NHS for an anti-epilepsy drug.Drugs giant Pfizer has been fined a record £84.2m by the UK's competition watchdog for overcharging the NHS for an anti-epilepsy drug.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fined distributor Flynn Pharma £5.2m for the 2,600% price increase for the drug in 2012.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fined distributor Flynn Pharma £5.2m for the 2,600% price increase for the drug in 2012.
NHS spending on the capsules, used by 48,000 UK patients, rose from £2m a year in 2012 to about £50m in 2013.NHS spending on the capsules, used by 48,000 UK patients, rose from £2m a year in 2012 to about £50m in 2013.
Pfizer rejected the findings and said it would appeal against the decision.Pfizer rejected the findings and said it would appeal against the decision.
UK prices for the drug were many times higher than in Europe, the CMA said.UK prices for the drug were many times higher than in Europe, the CMA said.
'Extraordinary price rise' 'Extraordinary' rises
Philip Marsden of the CMA said: "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients.Philip Marsden of the CMA said: "The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients.
"These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds.""These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds."
Before 2012 Pfizer manufactured and distributed the drug, which went by the brand name Epanutin. Before 2012, Pfizer manufactured and distributed the drug, which was branded Epanutin.
Pfizer then sold the UK rights to distribute the phenytoin sodium capsules to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded the drug.Pfizer then sold the UK rights to distribute the phenytoin sodium capsules to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded the drug.
That allowed the firms to charge more for the drug because it was no longer subject to a pricing scheme agreed between the NHS and the drugs industry, the CMA said.That allowed the firms to charge more for the drug because it was no longer subject to a pricing scheme agreed between the NHS and the drugs industry, the CMA said.
LossesLosses
However, Pfizer said the drug was a loss making product, and that the deal with Flynn "represented an opportunity to secure ongoing supply of an important medicine for patients with epilepsy." However, Pfizer said the drug was a loss-making product, and that the deal with Flynn "represented an opportunity to secure ongoing supply of an important medicine for patients with epilepsy".
"Pfizer believes the CMA's findings are wrong in fact and law and will be appealing all aspects of the decision," it said."Pfizer believes the CMA's findings are wrong in fact and law and will be appealing all aspects of the decision," it said.
The drugs giant said the increased price of the drug was still 25% to 40% below the cost of an equivalent medicine by another supplier to the NHS.The drugs giant said the increased price of the drug was still 25% to 40% below the cost of an equivalent medicine by another supplier to the NHS.
But the CMA said by its calculations "all such losses would have been recovered within two months of the price rises."But the CMA said by its calculations "all such losses would have been recovered within two months of the price rises."
Pfizer has between 30 days and four months to reduce the price to a level acceptable to the CMA, and has two months to appeal against the CMA decision to the Competition Tribunal. Flynn Pharma said the CMA was "making a serious error" and that it would appeal in a bid to overturn the CMA's findings.
"It beggars belief that the CMA seeks to punish Flynn for selling phenytoin capsules at a significant discount to phenytoin tablets," said David Fakes of Flynn Pharma.
The firms have between 30 days and four months to reduce the price to a level acceptable to the CMA, and two months to appeal against the CMA decision to the Competition Tribunal.