ROME - After the request for compensation for 1.2 billion euros made by the Italian Ministry of Health against Novartis and Roche for the marketing of the Lucentis and Avastin drugs, the Coordination of associations for the defense of the environment and human rights of users and consumers (Codacons) has announced that it is preparing to ask for compensation in favor of users of the National Health Service (NHS).
This news also follows the outcome of yesterday's hearing before the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio regarding the appeals with which the two companies challenge the maximum fines imposed on them by the Antitrust for this matter . Upon agreement and request of the parties, the discussion of the appeals will take place directly on the merits on November 5th.
"Yesterday, during the hearing before the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, Codacons intervened in the proceedings to defend the sanction imposed on the two companies by the Antitrust – explains the president, Carlo Rienzi -. Pending the final decision expected in November, we are preparing a maxi-claim for damages against Roche and Novartis, aimed at obtaining compensation for all users of the National Health Service.It is evident in fact that, if the cartel put in place by the two multinationals and sanctioned by the Authority is ascertained, there will be direct damage to the users of Italian healthcare, intended both as patients and as doctors, on the economic but also on the ethical front".
Furthermore, for Codacons, "the Ministry of Health must ascertain the responsibilities of the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa) in this matter, and possibly also take recourse against this body".
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