Abbvie is claiming England's National Health Service (NHS) breached procurement rules during the process of seeking suppliers for hepatitis C treatment.
As part of an aggressive plan to end hepatitis C in England, health authorities are weighing bids in what is being called the “largest ever” drug procurement process. The procurement was launched to buy drugs in bulk and lower the cost of hepatitis C drugs, specifically those manufactured by Abbvie, Gilead and MSD (Merck).
Successful companies would be given three year contracts, with NHS England having an option to extend them by two further years.
According to court documents Abbvie alleged NHS England did not treat all bidders fairly.
Both parties are preparing for a trial, but neither will comment on the pending lawsuit.
Read the HSJ coverage
[javascriptSnippet]