FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in Generic Drug Market for Treating Dry Mouth and Biliary Cirrhosis

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Impax Laboratories Inc.’s acquisition of  CorePharma, LLC would likely be anticompetitive.

Under the order, first announced in March 2015, the pharmaceutical companies have agreed to divest CorePharma’s rights and assets to generic pilocarpine tablets, which are used to treat dry mouth, and generic ursodiol tablets, which are used to treat biliary cirrhosis and gall bladder diseases. Perrigo Company plc, a global drug company headquartered in Ireland that markets generic drugs in the United States, is the Commission-approved  buyer of the divested assets.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 151 0011; the staff contact is Christina R. Perez, Bureau of Competition, 202-326- 2048)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.