Customer switching data is an important factor that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) considers when assessing the closeness of competition of merging parties. However, as the completed acquisition by Pharmacy2U Limited (Pharmacy2U) of Lloyds Direct demonstrates, switching data can also be determinative when it comes to market definition. Pharmacy2U is a Distance Selling Pharmacy … Continue Reading
On January 8, 2022, Minister of Health Roberto Speranza and Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao, in an article published in the Italian press, made a number of announcements about the timing of the Italian government’s intended investment in digital health. This investment forms part of the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan … Continue Reading
COVID-19 outbreak has caused major disruption of supply chains and a steep rise in demand for certain products and services, notably in the health sector. These circumstances risk leading to shortages in critical medical goods used to treat COVID-19 patients, but also in other essential goods and services outside the health sector. Tackling these exceptional general supply shocks … Continue Reading
In a joint statement on the application of EU and national competition law during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) crisis, the European Competition Network (ECN) recognized that competitors, supplier and distributors may need to cooperate with each other to ensure the supply and fair distribution of scarce products to all consumers. For example, a few … Continue Reading
Both the European Union (EU) and national governments have sought to respond rapidly to the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The European Commission (EC) is responding to the increasing need for companies to receive urgent financial support by adopting new State aid tools and emphasizing its ability to approve aid quickly. In recent days, … Continue Reading
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is hurting the world’s economy, through severe disruption of financial markets, supply chains and work forces. In the EU, member states to varying degrees are contemplating measures to support companies hardest hit by the impact of the virus on the economy, including government loans, tax credits or deferral of tax payments. … Continue Reading
