Cartelization of medicine continues - Moscow OFAS exposed a new collusion
The metropolitan Office of the Antimonopoly Service exposed a cartel at 26 auctions on supplying materials for the medical institutions in Moscow
The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in Moscow recognized a cartel formed by “Spektr STK” Ltd. and “Tsentre Meditsinskikh Tekhnologii” Ltd. in the course of auctions for supplying tools, materials and components for the needs of 15 medical institutions. OFAS found that the companies violated Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”).
The total auction value exceeded 210 million RUB. Participating in them, “Spektr STK” Ltd. and “Tsentre Meditsinskikh Tekhnologii” Ltd. acted in the mutual interests, which resulted in maintaining the auction prices.
For instance, according to their oral arrangements, “Spektr STK” Ltd. won 24 auctions with 0.5% - 4.4% reduction from the initial contract price for the total sum over 205 million RUB.
“Tsentre Meditsinskikh Tekhnologii” won two auctions with 1% reduction of the initial price for over 4 million RUB.
The list of the goods procured at the auction included the items for radiosurgery, endovascular and interventional cardioangiology. Among them: devices for treating cardiac arrhythmia, heart valves, tools for diagnostics and treatment of coronary arteries, materials for angiography, diagnostics and treatment of periphery and cerebral vessels.
In the absence of competitive rivalry between potential suppliers, medical institutions had to procure materials at inflated prices.
In the near future FAS will open an administrative case against “Spektr STK” Ltd. and “Tsentre Meditsinskikh Tekhnologii” Ltd. Under the Code on Administrative Violations, the fines for anticompetitive agreements are set at 10% - 50% of the initial value of the bidding subject.
The case materials will also be forwarded to the law enforcement bodies to open a criminal case under Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.