Category: Global Blogs

Ireland: Medical group resolves collective agreement competition spat (Competition Policy International)

The Irish Medical Organization has reportedly settled with the Competition Authority in court, ending a dispute regarding the negotiation of collective agreements of self-employed IMO members.

According to reports, the Competition Authority sued the health group last July for allowing self-employed members to join forces to collectively negotiate payment, a violation …read more

UK: Smith & Nephew merger cleared, rumors of Stryker deal shot down (Competition Policy International)

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has offered clearance to the proposed acquisition of AthroCare by Smith & Nephew, reports say, marking the final hurdle cleared in the parties’ efforts to finalize the deal.

The CMA concluded its Phase I investigation of the $1.7 billion medical technology merger. The companies had …read more

EU: Concessions disclosed with EC clearance of O2 Ireland takeover (Competition Policy International)

The European Commission announced Wednesday it has approved of Hutchison Whampoa’s $1 billion acquisition of O2 Ireland, reports say.

While the Commission’s clearance was expected, reports said what was uncertain were the concessions regulators would require form the Hong Kong conglomerate. With the deal cleared, Hutchison will be required to divest …read more

US: Filing reveals regulatory hurdles prevented Safeway bidding war (Competition Policy International)

A preliminary proxy filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission late last week revealed new details regarding Albertson’s plans to acquire rival Safeway in a $9 billion.

According to reports, the filing revealed a rival bidder was planning to submit its own competing offer for the supermarket chain, but ultimately …read more