The Competition Council in Lithuania has concluded an investigation and sent a Statement of Objections (SO) to Giantera, the official representative of the Dr. Ohhira brand, and several other companies distributing these products. The investigation was initiated due to suspicions of an agreement among these companies not to sell the goods below specified prices, potentially restricting competition.

The SO alleges that Giantera and its distributors may have engaged in a joint strategy between 2015 and 2022 to maintain higher selling prices for Dr. Ohhira branded products. This involved monitoring prices, prohibiting loyalty programs and promotions, issuing warnings for non-compliance, and threatening to halt supplies. Distributors also monitored each other's prices and reported any deviations to Giantera.

Some companies, such as Entafarma and Mano vaistinė, cooperated with the investigation, admitted the infringement, and submitted leniency applications. Others, like Azeta Pharmacy and Euroapotheca, acknowledged the violation of competition law. The Anti-competitive Agreements Investigation Group proposes that 20 undertakings have breached Article 5 of the Law on Competition by engaging in resale price fixing.

Interested parties have the opportunity to submit their arguments in writing and present orally before the Competition Council makes a final decision and imposes any financial penalties. The SO is not a final decision and does not limit the Council's ability to reach a different conclusion.