The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7387 p156
11 February 2006

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Boots Alliance deemed fair

The proposed merger of Boots and Alliance UniChem will not be referred to the Competition Commission by the Office of Fair Trading for further scrutiny.

The decision is subject to both parties agreeing to take measures — including the sale of certain pharmacies — to address concerns in around 100 regions where competition could be affected.

OFT chief executive John Fingleton said that there are many regulations that prevent suitable competition in the community pharmacy sector, and he called on the Government to reconsider how these regulations might prevent consumers from benefiting from the mercantile savings of such a merger.