OREANDA-NEWS. October 07, 2009. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated proceedings against "Akrikhin" Chemical-and-Pharmaceutic Works", "R-Pharm" CJSC and "Stolichnie Apteki" State Unitary Enterprise for the elements of violating Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" (bid-rigging concerted actions), reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon complains from other bidders.

FAS Russia suspects that the companies were involved in bid-rigging collusion at a tender for supplies of medications.

"Analysing state procurement tenders, we discovered that often the bidders act in a concerted manner. For instance, they agree not to compete with each other and decide in advance who will get the lots and at what price (mot often at the maximum price), pointed out Alexander Kinev, the Head of the Anti-Cartel Department. It results in significant loss of budgetary funds and cuts down the amount of medicines that could have been procured if the price was reduced considerably in course of the auctions. Such bid-rigging practice must be suppressed and collusion participants should be punished".

The cases will be heard on 15th October and 17th November 2009 with participation of representatives of the FAS Russia's Department on Control over State Procurement.