Tracer merger: issues statement
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.