AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

 SECTOR INQUIRY ON VACCINES FOR HUMAN USE

The Italian Competition Authority has decided to launch a survey on vaccines for human use (ref. IC50).

Taking into account (a) the importance of vaccines in terms of health care costs borne by the National Health Service (over € 300 million per year), (b) the fact that the products are procured through public tenders, (c) the fact that the prices of some of the key vaccines seem to be on the increase, the aim of the survey is to investigate the following topics:

1. characteristics of commercial dynamics related to vaccines for human use;

2. competitive critical issues in the markets for vaccines for human use, with specific reference to the Italian situation in the light of current legislation and subsequent acts (eg. National Vaccination Plan);

3. efficiencies and critical issues of public tender procedures related to the purchase of vaccines for human use.

In order to support its ordinary activities of sector inquiry, and in line with international best practices, the Authority opened a public consultation (call for inputs) on the issues mentioned above, with the possibility to send contributions to the e-mail IC50@agcm.it within the next 45 days.

Rome, May 27, 2015