The Bulgarian Competition Authority rules on parallel trade of pharmaceutical products and their limitations (Sopharma)

Restrictions of Parallel Trade in Pharmaceuticals – Carte Blanche from the Bulgarian Competition Authority?* The Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission (“CPC” or “Commission”) has recently issued an important decision regarding the parallel trade of pharmaceuticals and the possibilities for its limitations. In September 2013 ,- Sopharma Trading JSC (“Sopharma”), which is the affiliated distributor of one of the leading Bulgarian pharmaceutical companies, filed with the CPC a complaint against several other companies with respect to practices, alleged to be measures to control or limit parallel trade. The CPC initiated a procedure, against two companies – Abbott Products Ltd. (“Abbott”) and Sting Ltd. (“Sting”). In December 2014, the CPC rendered its decision, which gave rise to