Europe drops GlaxoSmithKline Paroxetine (Seroxat) investigation, but don't expect FIDDAMAN to tell you

The day after announcing it had closed its investigation into AstraZeneca, the Commission confirmed on 2 March that it had administratively closed an investigation involving GlaxoSmithKline and Synthon. It has been reported that the case was closed following the withdrawal of a complaint and that the investigation related to the antidepressant drug Paroxetine. GlaxoSmithKline previously confirmed in a company filing that the Commission had carried out an inspection in 2005 at its premises following allegations about an abuse of dominance relating to Seroxat, the trade name for Paroxetine.




However, GlaxoSmithKline also continues to face scrutiny from a national competition authority relating to generics. In August 2011, the OFT opened a formal investigation into GlaxoSmithKline and Generics UK, looking at whether litigation settlements and payments to potential generic suppliers in relation to paroxetine restricted competition. In a company statement, GlaxoSmithKline has confirmed that the subject matter of the OFT’s investigation is the same as the recently closed EC case. It remains to be seen whether the OFT, unlike the EC, will take further action relating to its investigation of brand-generic agreements.



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