Division Relevant market and dominance

The relevant market comprises national markets for so-called proton pump inhibitors (hereinafter ‘PPIs’) sold on prescription which are used for gastro-intestinal acid related diseases (such as ulcers). AZ’s Losec was the first PPI. More specifically, the decision finds that a PPI market can be established at least from 1993 in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK and from 1992 in Norway.

The decision finds that AZ held a dominant position on the PPI market in Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden (from 1993 until the end of 2000), Norway (from 1994 until the end of 2000), Denmark and the UK (from 1993 until the end of 1999) and Germany (from 1993 until the end of 1997).