Pfizer Accused of Overcharging for Epilepsy Seizure Drug by UK Competition Watchdog

   By Ian Walker 
 

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Thursday that it has provisionally found that Pfizer Inc. broke competition law by charging unfairly high prices for phenytoin sodium capsules, which is used to treat epileptic seizures.

The regulator said that over a four-year period Pfizer charged the U.K. National Health Service 780% to 1,600% more for the drug than it had previously. The company then sold the drug to another company--Flynn-- who sold it for between 2,300% and 2,600% more than before.

"As Pfizer and Flynn were the dominant suppliers of the drug in the U.K., the NHS had no choice but to pay unfairly high prices for this vital medicine," the CMA said.

The regulator said that both Pfizer and Flynn have the opportunity to respond to its provisional findings and that it will consider their representations before making a final decision on whether they broke the law.

Pfizer wasn't immediately available to comment when contacted early Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.

Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 05, 2021 02:54 ET (06:54 GMT)

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