The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is taking a second look at the acquisition of Visayas-based Rose Pharmacy by Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.
The PCC said it will look into the transaction in more detail and extensively assess its impact, particularly on whether the acquisition resulted to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the retail pharmacy in at least 103 localities.
The agency said it will focus on the Luzon market, where Rose Pharmacy has exited as a result of the acquisition.
Its mergers and acquisition office will look into the impact of the acquisition in the retail sale of non-pharmaceutical products and special prescription drugs in selected localities.
The inquiry is also looking into the retail sale of pharmaceutical products online on a nationwide basis, the lease of commercial space to drugstores in selected localities, and the market extending shelf-space for non-pharmaceutical products on a nationwide basis.
Robinsons Retail in October 2020 announced its acquisition of the popular Visayan pharmaceutical chain by Southstar Drug which also operates a drugstore chain nationwide. The majority of Southstar’s branches are located in the National Capital Region and Bicol l.
Robinsons Retail is also into generic drugs through unit TGP Pharma Inc.
