Mylan’s acquisition of Meda is a deal worth US$7.2 billion dollars [1]. Yet, it is not one that has progressed smoothly. Two initial takeover offers were rejected by Meda’s board of directors and shareholders, prior to the final price being settled [2]. Once the deal was made, Meda faced objections by trade authorities.

The FTC in the US and the European Commission (EC) in Europe, have been concerned over the acquisition of Meda, as it is thought that this could reduce competition for several pharmaceutical products. Both of these commissions have a duty to assess mergers and acquisitions involving high turnover companies, and to prevent deals with the potential to impede competition.

In order to allow the acquisition to go through, the FTC demanded that Mylan sell certain generic drugs. As such, Mylan will now sell its US marketing rights for 250 mg generic carisoprodol tablets and 400 mg and 600 mg generic felbamate tablets. The respective use of these drugs is in the treatment of muscle spasms and stiffness, and refractory epilepsy.

Without this forced relinquishment, the Mylan–Meda merger would mean that there are only two companies (where there were once three, Meda being the third) manufacturing and marketing 400 mg and 600 mg generic felbamate tablets worldwide. This would eliminate future competition and lead to higher prices payable by consumers. Under the FTC settlement, the rights to these therapeutics will be sold to Alvogen Pharma.

At present, only Meda and one other company have the rights to market 250 mg generic carisoprodol tablets in the US. However, Mylan now has the US marketing rights for a recently approved carisoprodol product. This would increase competition if Mylan were not about to acquire Meda. Thus, Indicus Pharma LLC (the product owner), will obtain the US marketing rights to allow for beneficial competition and facilitate the lowering of prices.

The situation in Europe is not dissimilar. The acquisition was approved in July 2016 under certain conditions related to the promotion of competition. This includes the divestment of a number of Mylan and Meda’s businesses across Europe (1).

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Mylan receives EU go-ahead to purchase Meda, with conditions [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 August 26]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Mylan-receives-EU-go-ahead-to-purchase-Meda-with-conditions
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Mylan to acquire Swedish drugmaker Meda [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 August 26]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Mylan-to-acquire-Swedish-drugmaker-Meda

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