The Antitrust Authority's information shows the companies Alliance Healthcare Italia SpA, Comifar SpA, S.A.F.A.R. (Servizi Autonomi Farmacisti Abruzzesi Riuniti Società Cooperativa) and Itriafarma Società Cooperativa created an anti-competitive arrangement by coordinating their commercial policies so as to prevent non-pharmacy outlets operating in the Regions of Abruzzo, Puglia and Basilicata from selling over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals to the public by refusing to supply them.

Following the launch of the proceeding and the Authority's decision to impose precautionary measures, the wholesalers began supplying the requested products to the drugstores, thus bringing their anti-competitive behaviour to an end.

The arrangement in question had led to a generalized lack of supply of OTC pharmaceuticals to the drugstores in the two months following the issuing of decree no. 223/06 ("the Bersani decree") - which provides for the sale of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals through channels other than pharmacies - until the Authority's investigation was launched. This slowed implementation of the liberalization measures introduced by the new rules with negative effects on the benefits to consumers in terms of freedom of choice and lower prices.

In determining the size of the fines, the Authority took into account the brief duration of the conduct described. The fines imposed are as follows:

- Alliance:Euro 3,591
- Comifar:Euro 10,064
- SAFAR:Euro 7,243
- Itriafarma:Euro 4,017

Rome, 9 October 2007