CARTEL OF SUPPLIERS OF MEDICAL PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT IS EXPOSED IN NOVOSIBIRSK

Novosibirsk OFAS found that “FITO” Ltd. and “Terra” Ltd. violated Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”

The antimonopoly body established that in 2016-2017“FITO” Ltd. and “Terra” Ltd., pursuing an anticompetitive agreement determined between themselves who is going to be the winner and what will be the maximum reduction of the initial maximum contract prices.

The anticompetitive agreement resulted in maintaining prices at 437 open electronic for supplying medicines, medical products, food products (for post-surgery nutrition) and the services for transporting medicinal drugs for the needs of Meshalkin National Medical Research Centre of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, the contract sum exceeded 500 million RUB.

Upon this fact, Novosibirsk OFAS informed the Main Department of the Ministry of Interior in the Novosibirsk region about the offence. A criminal case is opened under Clause “C” Part 2 Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Indictments are brought against Directors of “FITO” Ltd. and “Terra” Ltd. during the pre-trial investigation.

Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Andrey Tenishev pointed out: “It should be stated that according to FAS estimates supplies of medicinal drugs, medical products and equipment is one of the most cartelized in Russian economy. In this context FAS cooperates intensively with the law enforcement bodies on exposing and suppressing cartel operations”.