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NHS overcharged by millions for key drug, says watchdog NHS overcharged by millions for key drug, says watchdog
(about 2 hours later)
Drug company Concordia overcharged the NHS by millions for a key thyroid treatment, the Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally found.Drug company Concordia overcharged the NHS by millions for a key thyroid treatment, the Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally found.
The CMA said that last year the NHS spent £34m on its drug, liothyronine, up from about £600,000 in 2006.The CMA said that last year the NHS spent £34m on its drug, liothyronine, up from about £600,000 in 2006.
The amount the NHS paid per pack rose from around £4.46 in 2007 to £258.19 by July 2017, an increase of almost 6,000%.The amount the NHS paid per pack rose from around £4.46 in 2007 to £258.19 by July 2017, an increase of almost 6,000%.
Concordia said it did "not believe that competition law has been infringed".Concordia said it did "not believe that competition law has been infringed".
The CMA said the price rise took place despite "broadly stable" production costs.The CMA said the price rise took place despite "broadly stable" production costs.
Canadian drugs giant Concordia sells drugs to patients in more than 100 countries.
Liothyronine tablets are primarily used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone affecting at least two in every 100 people and which can lead to depression, tiredness and weight gain.Liothyronine tablets are primarily used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone affecting at least two in every 100 people and which can lead to depression, tiredness and weight gain.
Until earlier this year, Concordia was the only supplier of the drug.Until earlier this year, Concordia was the only supplier of the drug.
'Market dominance''Market dominance'
CMA chief executive, Andrea Coscelli, said: "Pharmaceutical companies which abuse their position and overcharge for drugs are forcing the NHS - and the UK taxpayer - to pay over the odds for important medical treatments.CMA chief executive, Andrea Coscelli, said: "Pharmaceutical companies which abuse their position and overcharge for drugs are forcing the NHS - and the UK taxpayer - to pay over the odds for important medical treatments.
"We allege that Concordia used its market dominance in the supply of liothyronine tablets to do exactly that.""We allege that Concordia used its market dominance in the supply of liothyronine tablets to do exactly that."
He stressed that, at this stage in the investigation, the findings were provisional and there had been no definitive decision that there had been a breach of competition law.He stressed that, at this stage in the investigation, the findings were provisional and there had been no definitive decision that there had been a breach of competition law.
If the provisional finding is upheld, though, the CMA can impose a fine of up to 10% of the company's annual worldwide turnover.If the provisional finding is upheld, though, the CMA can impose a fine of up to 10% of the company's annual worldwide turnover.
The CMA said it was one of a number of cases it was looking at within the pharmaceutical sector.The CMA said it was one of a number of cases it was looking at within the pharmaceutical sector.
Previously, the watchdog has fined drugs giant Pfizer and Flynn Pharma nearly £90m in relation to what it called "excessive and unfair prices" for the anti-epilepsy treatment, phenytoin sodium capsules.Previously, the watchdog has fined drugs giant Pfizer and Flynn Pharma nearly £90m in relation to what it called "excessive and unfair prices" for the anti-epilepsy treatment, phenytoin sodium capsules.
It also fined a number of pharmaceutical companies a total of £45m in relation to anti-depressant medicine paroxetine.It also fined a number of pharmaceutical companies a total of £45m in relation to anti-depressant medicine paroxetine.
Both those decisions are under appeal.Both those decisions are under appeal.
The CMA is pursuing another seven investigations into several companies in relation to drug pricing and competition issues.The CMA is pursuing another seven investigations into several companies in relation to drug pricing and competition issues.