The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will investigate any Australian link in the world-wide conspiracy to raise and fix the prices of vitamins, disclosed overnight by the US Department of Justice.
"Two European drug and chemical companies have pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a record $US725 million in criminal fines for the conspiracy," ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, a Swiss company, will pay $US500 million and BASF AG, a German firm, $US225 million.
"Rhone-Poulenc, SA, a French firm has been cooperating with the investigation and has obtained leniency.
"The ACCC has taken advantage of the recently signed antitrust cooperation treaty with the United States and is already in touch with US authorities for information to further its considerations".
"Two European drug and chemical companies have pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a record $US725 million in criminal fines for the conspiracy," ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, a Swiss company, will pay $US500 million and BASF AG, a German firm, $US225 million.
"Rhone-Poulenc, SA, a French firm has been cooperating with the investigation and has obtained leniency.
"The ACCC has taken advantage of the recently signed antitrust cooperation treaty with the United States and is already in touch with US authorities for information to further its considerations".