Investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by Vifor Pharma in relation to intravenous iron treatments

The CMA is investigating whether Vifor Pharma might have abused a dominant position through its conduct in relation to intravenous iron treatments.

Case timetable

Date Action
January – November 2024 (estimate) Initial investigation: including information gathering, analysis and review of information gathered
31 January 2024 Investigation opened

Case information

On 31 January 2024, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into a suspected breach of competition law by Vifor Pharma, relating to concerns that Vifor Pharma may have misleadingly disparaged a competing iron treatment, Monofer, by making misleading claims about the safety of Monofer and Vifor Pharma’s own product, Ferinject, which were designed to hinder competition from a rival product and promote Ferinject. Monofer and Ferinject are iron treatments used to intravenously treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.

Notes

  • The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement or infringements of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections

  • The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has been infringed

  • Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in our guidance

  • Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made if the estimated timing changes

Personal data

The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.

Contact

Published 31 January 2024