Competition Commission launches probe into cancer drug pricing
The Competition Commission has announced a probe into the pricing of cancer drugs.
Investigations have been initiated into Roche Holding AG (Roche), Pfizer Inc and Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd (Aspen).
The commission says the healthcare sector is a priority, given the likely negative impact that anti-competitive conduct in that sector would have on specifically the poor and vulnerable.
Commission spokesperson Sipho Ngwema says they have initiated an investigation against Roche relating to the provision of lifesaving breast cancer medicine in South Africa.
The commission has also initiated an investigation against pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer for suspected excessive pricing of lung cancer medication in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Aspen is being probed for suspected abuse of dominance by charging excessive prices for certain medicines.
"The commission is in possession of information that gives rise to a reasonable suspicion that Aspen has and continues to engage in the excessive pricing in the provision of certain cancer medicines in South Africa, namely Leukeran, Alkeran and Myleran," says Ngwema.