CCI dismisses complaints against Central Medical Service Society, Anti TB Dept, RITES India

The Competition Commission of India has disposed of complaints of unfair business practices against Central Medical Service Society, Anti TB Department and RITES India, noting that asking drug suppliers to have a WHO certification for supply of drugs treating critical diseases cannot be termed as arbitrary.

The order came after it was alleged that the Central Medical Service Society and RITES India had published tenders for procurement of anti-TB and anti-HIV drugs from suppliers having Geneva WHO-Prequalified certificate.

According to the complainant, the condition of certification was incorporated in order to create monopoly of few companies and thus allegedly abused their dominant market position.

CCI said, "Such certification is a globally accepted standard of quality, safety and efficacy and the same would have been incorporated in the tender to improve the quality standards of the drug and public safety."