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Romanian Raids On Boehringer Result In Eight-Figure Fine For COPD Market Abuse

‘Intensive Promotion Strategy’ Influenced Doctors To Prescribe Follow-Up Spiolto Respimat

 
• By Dean Rudge

Boehringer Ingelheim “made it more difficult” for doctors to prescribe generic versions of its Spiriva (tiotropium) inhalers, Romania’s Competition Council has found, as it levied a fine of more than $25m on the German originator.

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Boehringer Ingelheim was investigated by the Romanian competition authority • Source: Shutterstock

Boehringer Ingelheim has been slapped with a RON128.5m ($26.4m) fine by Romania’s competition authority after being judged to have abused its dominant position in the country’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) market, heaping more costs on payers and patients by limiting market access to generic versions of the German originator’s own Spiriva (tiotropium) inhalers.

At the end of 2021, Romania’s Consiliul Concurenţei authority opened an investigation – via “unannounced inspections” authorized by a court in Bucharest – into Boehringer over its alleged conduct for...

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