Overview
On 8 July 2009 the European Commission adopted the Final Report on its competition inquiry into the pharmaceutical sector, pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation 1/2003 EC. Since then, the Commission has been monitoring patent settlements between originator and generic companies and publishes annual Reports (see below). The main objectives of the monitoring exercises are to better understand the use of this type of agreement in the European Economic Area and to identify those settlements that delay generic market entry to the detriment of the European consumer. This page provides information relating to the inquiry, including reports, press releases, frequently asked questions (FAQ), presentations and speeches and other relevant documents.
Monitoring of patent settlements
- 8th Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2016)
- 7th Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2015)
- 6th Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2014)
- 5th Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2013)
- 4th Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2012) .
- Press release (9 December 2013)
- 3rd Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2011)
- 2nd Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: January-December 2010)
- Press release (6 July 2011)
- Commission launches second monitoring exercise of patent settlements
- Press Release (17 January 2011)
- 1st Report on the Monitoring of Patent Settlements (period: mid 2008 - end 2009)
- Press release (5 July 2010)
Sector Inquiry Final Report
8 July 2009
- Commission Communication (SEC(2009)952) Executive Summary of the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry Report
- Commission Staff Working Document (Technical annex to the Commission Communication) part 1 - part 2
- Citizens' summary (all EU languages)
- Press release (8 July 2009)
- Frequently asked questions on final report of sector inquiry into pharmaceuticals
- Fact sheet 1: Prices, time to generic entry and consumer savings
- Fact sheet 2: Originator-Generic competition
- Fact sheet 3: Originator-Originator competition
- Fact sheet 4: Regulatory Framework