The Chinese NDRC and the Chongqing AIC take separate actions to punish cartel conduct and refusal to supply in the pharmaceutical industry (Allopurinol)

Both the NDRC and the Chongqing Administration for Industry and Commerce (Chongqing AIC) have recently taken enforcement action to address anticompetitive conduct involving allopurinol. Allopurinol tablets are a common treatment for gout (known as hyperuricemia), widely used in clinical practice, lowly priced, and listed on China’s National Essential Medicines List. Allopurinol drugs are a class A drug on the National Basic Medical Insurance Drug Catalogue. In China, there had been 15 approved allopurinol tablet manufacturers. However, since 2014, only Chongqing Qingyang Pharmaceutical, Jiangsu Tianjie, and Shanghai Sine Pharmaceutical have been active in the market. In addition to manufacturing allopurinol tablets, since 2012, Chongqing Qingyang has been the sole supplier of raw