The Competition and Markets Authority has
published an issues statement as part of its inquiry into the completed
acquisition by Alliance Medical Group Limited of the assets of IBA Molecular UK
Limited used to produce Fluorodeoxyglucose 18F.
The
Office of Fair Trading (OFT) referred the case to the Competition Commission
(CC) on 24 March for it to decide whether the acquisition may be expected to
result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market or markets for
goods or services in the UK. On 1 April, the CC’s functions were
transferred to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) (see notes to
editors), which has continued with the inquiry.
Both parties supply Fluorodeoxyglucose 18F (FDG-18),
which is a radioactive tracer used in medical imaging scans for the diagnosis
of cancer and is purchased by NHS England, hospitals and other diagnosis
centres. It can only be used for a limited time after it is made because it is
radioactive and has a two hour half-life.
The
CMA is expected to publish its final report by 7 September
2014.
The
issues statement identifies clearly for all interested parties the key
questions which the inquiry is examining. The issues statement does not imply
that the Inquiry Group has yet identified any competition
concerns.
The
full issues statement is available on the inquiry home
page along with all other published information relating to the
investigation.
Any
interested party is invited to respond to the issues statement, in writing, by
no later than 5pm on 13 May 2014.
To
submit evidence, please email Alliance.IBA@cma.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Inquiry Manager
Alliance Medical/IBA Molecular merger inquiry
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD
Notes for editors
- The
CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority. It is an
independent non-ministerial government department with responsibility for
carrying out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries
and enforcing competition and consumer law. From 1 April 2014 it took over the
functions of the CC and the competition and certain consumer functions of the
OFT, as amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act
2013.
- The
members of the Alliance/IBA Inquiry Group are: John Wotton
(Chairman), Sarah
Chambers, John Krumins, Tim
Tutton.
- Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen or by ringing 020 3738 8798 or 020
3738 6460.
Photo above by Thirteen Of
Clubs on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons,
photo resized and machine brand removed.