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And Flynn face UK pricing probe — — POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope)Pfizer previously produced and sold the anti-epilepsy capsules to UK wholesalers under the brand name Epanutin. But the US pharma giant sold the UK distribution rights for the drug to Flynn Pharma in 2012, which rebranded the drug and started selling its own version throughout the UK in September of that year.Pfizer continued to manufacture the anti-epilepsy capsules, but sold the drug to Flynn Pharma at a much higher price than it had previously sold Epanutin in the UK. The CMA estimates the increase was up to 17 times that of Pfizer’s previous price. Flynn Pharma’s price increase that followed was up to 27 times the price Pfizer had previously charged UK wholesalers and pharmacies. NHS funding crisisGovernment figures show NHS spending on the anti-epilepsy drug has soared since Pfizer sold its distribution rights to Flynn Pharma.While the health service spent roughly £2.3 million (US$3.56 million) on phenytoin sodium capsules annually prior to 2012, that figure jumped to £50 million in 2013. Although NHS spending on the drug fell slightly in 2014 (£40 million), the CMA maintains the health service’s bill for the drug is deeply excessive.The CMA’s allegations against Pfizer and Flynn Pharma come as the NHS faces an almost-unprecedented funding crisis.NHS trusts have been ordered to slash spending and cut staff numbers, with a £2 billion black hole in health spending lingering. UK health service regulator Monitor wrote to every NHS trust in the country earlier this week, asking them to revise their budgets.“As you know, the NHS is facing an almost unprecedented financial challenge this year,” the letter told health service providers.“Current plans are quite simply unaffordable.
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As I have said before, if we are to do the best we can for patients we must leave no stone unturned in our collective efforts to make the money we have go as far as possible.”. Pfizer letter threatens UK doctors with legal action if they prescribe generic (cheaper) version of epilepsy drug — Jason Lee Weight (@Usernametoobig)The CMA says no firm conclusion can be reached at present as to whether Pfizer and Flynn Pharma violated competition law. It has called upon both firms to submit evidence forthwith. If the firms are found to have violated their dominant market positions, they could be hit with financial penalties of up to 10 percent of their yearly global turnover.Pfizer insisted it is “co-operating fully” with the CMA's investigation.
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