ACCC calls for comment on proposed pharmaceutical acquisition and joint venture

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling for comment on the proposed acquisition by Metcash Trading Limited of Symbion Pharmacy Services Pty Limited and the proposed joint venture between Metcash Trading Limited and Sigma Pharmaceuticals Limited.

The ACCC today issued a Statement of issues in relation to the proposal involving an acquisition by Metcash of Symbion's pharmaceutical wholesaling business and a proposed joint venture in pharmaceutical wholesaling between Metcash and Sigma. 

The Statement of issues identifies a number of preliminary concerns the ACCC has in relation to the proposal and seeks further information on certain issues which have arisen from the ACCC's market inquiries to date.

The ACCC invites further submissions from the market by 23 July 2008. To allow for submissions in response to the Statement of issues, the ACCC's final decision date will be deferred until 13 August 2008. 

Submissions can be sent by email to the ACCC at: mergers@accc.gov.au. The Statement of issues will be available on the ACCC's website, through the Public Registers link to the ACCC's mergers and acquisitions register.