BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission has fined Teva, the world’s largest generic drugmaker, 462.6 million euros ($503 million) for abusing its dominant position to delay competition to its blockbuster multiple sclerosis medicine Copaxone, confirming a Reuters exclusive.
The European Commission said on Thursday it had found that Teva artificially extended the patent protection of Copaxone and systematically spread misleading information about a rival product.
“Today’s decision to impose an antitrust fine on Teva for disparagement and misuse of the patent system reaffirms the
Commission’s commitment to competition enforcement in the pharmaceutical sector,” said EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager.
“With today’s decision, the Commission contributes to keeping drugs affordable, preserving choice of treatment and fostering innovation, to the benefit of EU patients and national healthcare systems,” she added.
($1 = 0.9197 euros)
(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Tassilo Hummel/Foo Yun Chee)
