CMA secures 4 year director disqualification order in pharma investigation

 

CMA secures 4 year director disqualification order in pharma investigation

The Competition and Markets Authority has obtained a disqualification undertaking from Mr Pritesh Sonpal, a director of Lexon (UK) Limited (Lexon).  This follows the CMA’s cartel infringement decision concerning the supply of nortriptyline tablets which are used in the treatment of depression.

The CMA found that pharmaceutical wholesaler Lexon had violated Article 101 of the TFEU and the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 by participating in an illegal information exchange.

The undertaking bans Mr Pritesh Sonpal from acting as a director or receiver of a company, or an insolvency practitioner for a period of four years.

The latest order follows the increasing use of disqualification orders by the CMA following earlier criticism that the powers were not being pursued with vigour.  Since the UK competition authority was given the director disqualification power in 2003, the CMA has obtained disqualification undertakings from more than 20 individuals. The majority have been obtained since 2016.

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/suppliers-of-antidepressants-director-disqualification