CMA fines Advanz and others for over pricing of liothyronine

[lynmynott]

Thyroid UK is very pleased that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Advanz and others for hiking up the price of liothyronine by 6,000%. It has taken a long time for this to happen and we hope that it will send a message to other pharma companies that it is not right to increase the prices of drugs that are a lifeline for many patients.

I had a meeting with the CMA this morning and they told me that Advanz now have 8 weeks to put in an appeal, (which Advanz has already said they will be doing) although probably not until the very end of the 8 weeks. The CMA will then have 6 weeks to put in a defence.

They also gave me details of the Competition Appeal Tribunal website which is very transparent and where we will be able to see exactly what is happening once Advanz put in their appeal – catribunal.org.uk

The NHS can now, if they decide to, seek compensation for the firms’ behaviour, by way of damages. It will be very interesting to see what happens next.

So, this is by no means over but I think we can just about see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thank you Lyn and all the team at Thyroid U.K. for all your hard work getting this issue publicised as much as possible

[Lesleynotts]

I want to add my thanks for all that you, Lyn and the Thyroid UK team have done re this issue too.However liothyronine continues to be overpriced so can you see a way that it could be reduced further?

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to Lesleynotts]

We are hoping that the NHS will now take further action. There is a law they can use but they are waiting for the CMA to take action.

[LapisSW]

This is the best news we have had in a long while. Thank you for your efforts Lyn.

[MacG]

Feel quite emotional….I hope this hits the national news. Yes, and can I add my heartfelt thanks to Lyn and all at Thyroid UK.

[Imaaan]

A heartfelt thanks to all those involved in fighting the good fight.

[Hennerton]

Thank you, Lyn and the team for all your help. It is a day to celebrate that justice is being done and I am sure we all hope that those members who were denied it, will soon be receiving it from the NHS again. What will be done to ensure this happens as soon as possible? I am one of the lucky ones who have always received it on prescription but I know people’s lives have been shattered by decisions to remove prescriptions. How does the future look for them?

[madge1979]

Well done and thank you for your efforts even though I am HYPERthyroid Graves I understand the misery of others on this site , who struggle so very much to acquire the life changing drugs they need to just survive . Bless you

Mx🌹

[lidoplace]

Thankyou Lyn. Now we wait to see if they invoke the act or what excuses they will find now .

[tcpace]

I note that the fines imposed cover the period 2009-2017, Presumably that's because the CMA investigation started in 2017. So what about the period from 2017 to 2021? Surely they will be liable for further fines and compensation? Also the current price (about £100 for 28 tablets I believe) is still outrageous. Is anything being done about that or will they be allowed to continue at that price level (which still amounts to shafting the NHS)?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to tcpace]

I think 2017 is because that was when action was taken to close the loophole. Though follow up from that has not been seen!

Mind, it would not be surprising that they would delay until the CMA investigation had reported, even if they had already decided to act.

It is also suspicious that all three companies have kept very closely in-line with price changes. They certainly do not appear to be competing on price.

And Morningside have 5 and 10 microgram products, there is still no UK competition for them.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to tcpace]

Further to this, 2017 was chosen as it was the end of the Advanz sole-supplier monopoly.

[shaws Administrator in reply to helvella]

It would also be beneficial to many who were taking NDT which was also withdrawn even though it proved for many its worth from 1892 up until the present day - again without notice nor consulting with patients

[K1V1]

I am delighted to read this excellent news today. What surprises us all Thyroid patients that, despite vast amounts of detailed information on internet, NHS officials who are responsible to place an order for these vital medicines not bothered to cross check the competitive prices available in the open market.It should now be very clear that only high level corruption between NHS & Multinational Drug Manufacturers have ruined the lives of thousands of patients in U.K. And despite alerted several times to health minister no action were taken. All those responsible should be brought to trial.

In the meantime let hope more thyroid patients will feel better, once the medicine starts to available soon. Many thanks

[CBDB]

Wow!!! Thank you! 👏🙏😃