AMSTERDAM (AP) — The European Commission has finedpharmaceuticals giants Johnson & Johnson
and Novartis a combined $22million for colluding to delay the entrance of a cheap generic form of apain
killer to the Dutch market.In a statement, the Commission’santitrust chief, Joaquin Almunia, said the two
companies "shockinglydeprived patients in the Netherlands, including people suffering fromcancer, from
access to a cheaper version of this medicine."TheCommission found that after Johnson &
Johnson’s patent on a patchcontaining the drug Fentanyl expired in 2005, it paid Novartis to delaylaunching
a generic version. The delay lasted 17 months, and was moreprofitable for both companies than competing
honestly would have been.J&J’s fine was 10.7 million euros ($14.7 million), and Novartis’ was 5.5
million euros.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.AMSTERDAM (AP) — The European Commission has finedpharmaceuticals
giants Johnson & Johnson and Novartis a combined $22million for colluding to delay the entrance of a
cheap generic form of apain killer to the Dutch market.In a statement, the Commission’santitrust chief,
Joaquin Almunia, said the two companies "shockinglydeprived patients in the Netherlands, including
people suffering fromcancer, from access to a cheaper version of this medicine."TheCommission found
that after Johnson & Johnson’s patent on a patchcontaining the drug Fentanyl expired in 2005, it
paid Novartis to delaylaunching a generic version. The delay lasted 17 months, and was moreprofitable for
both companies than competing honestly would have been.J&J’s fine was 10.7 million euros ($14.7
million), and Novartis’ was 5.5 million euros.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.