The European Commission on Wednesday 22 April cleared the proposed merger between global pharmaceutical company Mylan of the Netherlands and Upjohn of China, a division of Pfizer that operates its 'off-patent branded and generic established medicines' business. The decision is subject to the divestment of Mylan's business for certain generic medicines.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President in charge of Competition Policy, said "Our decision ensures that the merger between Mylan and Upjohn, does not harm competition, thus preserving competitive access to certain genericised medicines for national health services and European citizens".
The activities of Mylan and Upjohn overlap in various therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular, genito-urinary, musculoskeletal, nervous system, and sensory organ treatments. The Commission's investigation showed that, in some countries and for 36 molecules, "the transaction would raise competition concerns".
Mylan and Upjohn have proposed the divestiture, to one or more suitable purchasers, of Mylan's business in the relevant markets, including applicable marketing authorisations, brands and contracts, as well as transitory manufacturing and supply arrangements. These measures cover certain generic medicines in 20 EEA countries and the United Kingdom.
Link to the decision: https://bit.ly/2KnTf8H (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)