The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to a joint application from CDC Pharmaceuticals Limited and Pharmacy Wholesalers (Central) Limited (PWL Central) seeking clearance to merge their respective wholesaling pharmaceutical businesses.

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues that the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance. The Commission’s statement of preliminary issues and the public version of the application are available on the Clearances Register.

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission’s consideration of this matter. Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference CDC/PWL Central in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by close of business Friday 18 July 2014.

You can find the statement of preliminary issues on the Clearances Register.

Background

Both CDC and PWL Central wholesale prescription, specialist hospital only, and over the counter pharmaceutical products to pharmacies and hospitals.
 
Currently, CDC primarily supplies pharmaceuticals in the South Island and in Wellington while PWL Central primarily supplies pharmaceuticals in the central North Island. 
Both parties also have a presence in Auckland.