FTC Order Restores Competition in Market for Magnesium Plates for Photoengraving

Magnesium Elektron, a leader in the production of magnesium plates used for photoengraving, has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that its acquisition of rival plate manufacturer Revere Graphics Worldwide, Inc. was anticompetitive and a violation of the antitrust laws.  The proposed order resolves the FTC’s allegations, and restores the competition eliminated by the merger by […]

FTC Submits Amicus Brief Explaining that Drug Companies Use No-Authorized Generic Agreements to Delay Generic Competition

The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey stating that an agreement by a branded drug company not to launch an authorized generic (AG) drug “provides a convenient method for branded drug firms to pay generic patent challengers for agreeing to delay entry.”  In […]

FTC Puts Conditions on UHS’s Proposed Acquisition of Ascend Health Corporation

Hospital management company Universal Health Services, Inc. will sell an acute inpatient psychiatric facility in the El Paso, Texas/Santa Teresa, New Mexico area to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that UHS’s proposed acquisition of Ascend Health Corporation would be anticompetitive.  The settlement is the latest example of the FTC’s work to protect consumers from anticompetitive […]

FTC Seeks U.S. Supreme Court Review in AndroGel “Pay-for-Delay” Case

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, the Solicitor General of the United States petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a recent federal appeals court ruling concerning the FTC’s case against a “pay-for-delay” agreement that postponed generic competition for the testosterone-replacement drug AndroGel.  The filing, known as a petition for certiorari, was made […]

FTC Closes Its Investigation Into Vivendi, S.A.’s Proposed Acquisition of EMI Recorded Music

The Federal Trade Commission has closed its nonpublic investigation of the proposed acquisition by Vivendi, S.A., parent company of Universal Music Group, of EMI Recorded Music without taking any action, and Bureau of Competition Director Richard Feinstein has issued a related statement. The Commission vote to close the investigation was 5-0. The closing letters to […]

FTC Reopens Public Comment Period for Pet Medications Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission has reopened the public comment period for next month’s workshop focusing on competition and consumer protection issues in the pet medications industry, and will now accept comments through November 1, 2012. The Commission is seeking the views of consumers, veterinarians, pharmacists, manufacturers, business representatives, economists, lawyers, academics, and other interested parties […]

FTC Announces Agenda for Upcoming Pet Meds Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission has posted an agenda for next month’s workshop focusing on the pet medications industry in the United States.  FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz is scheduled to provide opening remarks, and will be joined at the event by industry members, veterinarians, and other professionals involved in the sale of pet medications. The October […]

FTC Staff Makes Recommendations to FERC on Measures to Reduce Cost of Providing Electricity, Improve Power System Reliability

The Federal Trade Commission’s staff submitted a comment to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recommending ways to lower the barriers faced by companies seeking to enter regional and local markets to sell services that maintain or enhance the reliability of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.  The comment also discussed ways to promote more efficient […]

FTC Staff: West Virginia Should Consider Expanding Advance Practice Registered Nurses’ Role in Patient Care

Federal Trade Commission staff, in response to a request from West Virginia State Senator Daniel Foster, provided testimony to a state legislative panel stating that making it simpler for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to prescribe medications could benefit West Virginia health care consumers by expanding choice for patients, containing costs, and improving access to […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Novartis AG’s Proposed Acquisition of Fougera Holdings, Inc. was Anticompetitive

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Novartis AG’s proposed acquisition of Fougera Holdings, Inc. was anticompetitive in the markets for the marketing rights to four topical skin care medications. The final order resolving the charges preserves competition in the markets by requiring Novartis, a […]