Lupin has been fined Rs 325 cr and Unichem Laboratories Rs 110 cr for striking deals to prevent entry of cheaper version of Perindopril in EU
New Delhi : Indian drug firms Lupin and Unichem Laboratories are among six global drug makers on which the European regulator has imposed a collective fine of 427.7 million euros for striking deals to prevent entry of cheaper version of blood pressure drug Perindopril in the EU.
As per the European Commission Anti-trust ruling, Lupin has been fined 40 million euros (nearly Rs 325 crore), while Unichem Laboratories 13.96 million euros (over Rs 110 crore). The companies have been pulled up for striking a series of deals with French firm Servier, which used to sell patented perindopril drug, so that cheaper copies of the drug are not launched in the EU. Besides Servier, the other drug makers on whom the European Commission has imposed fines totaling 427.7 million euros are Matrix (now part of Mylan), Teva and Krka.
“Through technology acquisition and a series of patent settlements with generic rivals, Servier implemented a strategy to exclude competitors and delay the entry of cheaper generic medicine to the detriment of public budgets and patients in breach of EU antitrust rules,” European Commission said in a statement.
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