GSK statement in response to OFT Statement of Objections

Issued: London UK

GSK supports fair competition and we very strongly believe that we acted within the law, as the holder of valid patents for paroxetine, in entering the agreements under investigation. These arrangements resulted in other paroxetine products entering the market before GSK's patents had expired. 

We have cooperated fully with the Office of Fair Trading in this investigation, which covers activities that happened between 2001 and 2004. The paroxetine supply agreements under investigation were terminated in 2004.

The OFT investigation covers matters that have already been investigated by the European Commission in 2005-2006. In March 2012 the Commission announced that it had formally concluded its inquiry with no further action. The issues were also reviewed in the European Commission’s 2008-2009 Sector Inquiry. Neither investigation resulted in any sanctions against the company.

OFT’s intention to issue a Statement of Objections was detailed in our Annual Report, published in March 2013.  As we have just received the Statement of Objections, we will need time to carefully review it before considering any further action. 

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com