Competition Commission stops probe into J&J TB drug pricing

JOHANNESBURG - The Competition Commission will no longer be pursuing litigation against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson over alleged anti-competitive conduct in the sale of a drug used to treat Tuberculosis (TB).

The commission investigated allegations of the abuse of dominance against the company and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutica in the trade of Bedaquiline.

READ: Johnson & Johnson reaches $700 mn talc case settlement

Following intervention by competition authorities, the companies have agreed not to enforce a patent for the drug in 134 countries including South Africa. 

"This opens the market allowing for the entry of generic suppliers. In addition, the companies renegotiated the Bedaquiline prices charged to the National Department of Health as the procurer of Bedaquiline in South Africa. Accordingly, the price of Bedaquilinehas been reduced by approximately 40%) anti-competitive," said Competition Commission Spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema.