Poland’s Competition Authority enters second phase of proceedings on Neuca’s bid to acquire Intra.

In May, Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) received an application seeking approval of Neuca’s takeover of Intra. Both companies are wholesalers of products to pharmacies and hospitals. In analyzing the concentration, UOKiK conducted a market study which looked at the two companies’ competitors. It showed that Neuca’s position could be strengthened on a local wholesale market of pharmaceutical products to pharmacies. This caused UOKiK to extend its proceedings in the case.

The two-stage procedure

In force since January 2015, Poland’s amended Competition and Consumer Protection Act lays out a two-stage proceedings model for concentration cases. While UOKiK issues a decision in the majority of cases in the first, one-month stage, it may extend a proceeding by four months to issue a decision in cases that are particularly complicated, that require additional market study to be conducted, or that concern cases covering a concentration that poses a justifiable likelihood of competition being significantly limited.

The resolution to extend a proceeding does not have any bearing on UOKiK’s ultimate decision in a case.

Additional information for the media

Press Office, UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone.: +48 22 827 28 92, +48 22 55 60 314, +48 22 55 60 430
E-mail: [SCODE]Yml1cm9wcmFzb3dlQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]

Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL