The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) upheld a £2.8 million fine imposed on Accord-UK for engaging in illegal market sharing with Auden Mckenzie, now known as Actavis UK, to prevent competition and increase prices of hydrocortisone tablets.

In a separate decision, the CAT confirmed that Auden/Actavis UK abused its dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices for hydrocortisone tablets between 2008 and 2018, resulting in fines totaling almost £130 million.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that Auden/Actavis made monthly payments to AMCo and Waymade to prevent them from independently entering the market with their own versions of hydrocortisone tablets, leading to fines and legal proceedings.

The CAT's decision upholding the penalties highlights the seriousness of the market sharing agreement and the impact on drug pricing for a medication relied upon by patients with conditions like Addison’s disease, funded by the NHS and taxpayers.