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Alleged violation of competition regulations in several countries
Lead NCPGermany
Supporting NCP(s)None Selected
DescriptionSpecific instance notified by an NGO regarding the activities of a multinational enterprise in several countries.
Theme(s)Competition
Date20 Apr 2006
Host country(ies)Belgium, Canada, Germany, Spain
SourceNGO
Industry sectorHuman health and social work activities
StatusNot accepted
Summary

In April 2006 the German NCP received a request for review from an NGO alleging that a German multinational enterprise had breached the competition provisions  of the Guidelines in Germany. The request was further extended to Belgium, Canada, and Spain in July 2006. 

The NGO specifically alleged that the company's sales force had breached the Guidelines especially when it came to influencing doctors, pharmacies and patients.

Following a careful assessment the German NCP concluded that it was not appropriate for the NCP to investigate the allegations for the following reasons:

  1. There was no transnational connection concerning the request about the activies of the company in Germany; and 
  2. The NCPs of the other host countries evoked in 2006 would be the competent authorities to handle the NGO's request.

Nevertheless the NCP offered it good offices to the NGO as well as to the company, however these were refused by the company and the NCP duly concluded the specific instance. 

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