France closes investigation into exclusive imports in French Guiana and French West Indies

Christian Fernsby ▼ | April 10, 2020

The AutoritÃ© closes an initial investigation into exclusive import practices in the medical equipment sector intended for hospitals in French Guiana and the French West Indies.

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Topics: FRANCE INVESTIGATION IMPORT

r> It takes note of the decision of the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare group to clarify the conditions for the distribution of its products in these overseas territories in order to strengthen competition.

Following a report made by a Guianese company to the AutoritÃ© de la concurrence on 30 March 2020, the investigation Services of the AutoritÃ© de la concurrence opened an initial investigation into exclusive import practices likely to be implemented by the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare group, active in the supply for hospitals of respiratory systems and products intended for patients suffering from respiratory disorders, in particular for patients suffering from coronavirus.

It was not excluded that this group had recently entrusted the import of its medical products in French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique (notably artificial ventilation masks useful for intensive care patients) to the only company Cadmed Inc. located in the United States, effectively preventing any other alternative from supplying local distributors, in particular via mainland France.

However, the law of 20 November 2012 on Economic Regulation in French overseas territories, known as the â€œLurel lawâ€, intended to address the specific problems of overseas territories (insularity, remoteness, narrow markets, existence of barriers to entry etc.) by prohibiting, from 22 March 2013, exclusive import agreements in French overseas territories (Article L. 420-2-1 of the French Commercial Code).

During the investigation, for which the AutoritÃ©â€™s investigation Services approached the French subsidiary of the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare group, the latter quickly took the initiative, given the current pandemic background and to avoid any risk of supply disruption in the overseas territories concerned with sensitive medical products, to clarify the groupâ€™s distribution rules.

Thus, the group reaffirms that "in the current health emergency context and even when this state of health emergency is lifted, importers who would like to buy Fisher & Paykel Healthcare products for respiratory assistance for distribution in French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique can and will, according to their choice, obtain their supplies directly from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare SAS or from any other authorised distributor, on the basis of their respective general terms and conditions of sale, as soon as the products are availableâ€.

Taking note of this initiative in favour of competition on the French Guianese and West Indian markets, the investigation Services of the AutoritÃ© decided to close the investigation opened against the group Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

While acknowledging the spirit of responsibility and cooperation of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, the investigation Services will remain vigilant with regard to market behaviour and will check that French overseas distributors can effectively obtain supplies in compliance with the rules of competition. ■

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France closes investigation into exclusive imports in French Guiana and French West Indies

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