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US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and British distributor Flynn overcharged the National Health Service for vital anti-epilepsy drugs by as much as 2,600% overnight, the UK’s competition regulator has found after re-examining a 2016 decision.
Following the overnight price increases by the companies, NHS spending on phenytoin sodium capsules rose from around £2m a year in 2012 to about £50m in 2013. For over four years, Pfizer’s prices were between 780% and 1,600% higher than it had previously charged. Pfizer then supplied the drug to Flynn, which sold it to wholesalers and pharmacies at prices between 2,300% and 2,600% higher than those they had paid previously.
Thousands of patients depend on this drug to prevent life-threatening seizures as a result of their epilepsy. As the CAT recognised, this is a matter that is important for government, for the public as patients and taxpayers, and for the pharmaceutical industry itself. Protecting these patients, the NHS and the taxpayers who fund it, is our priority.
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The controversial reign of Mike Ashley as the head of Frasers, the owner of Sports Direct, will come to an end in May 2022, the company has announced this morning.
The group’s elevation strategy is transforming the business and receiving positive feedback from consumers and our brand partners, especially on projects such as the new Oxford Street Sports Direct which opened in June 2021.
The board consider it appropriate that Michael leads us forward on this increasingly successful elevation journey.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3Chk5ZU
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