Celesio / Sainsbury's Pharmacy Business merger inquiry
The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Celesio AG of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited UK Pharmacy Business.
Phase 2
Administrative timetable
Statutory deadline: 8.8.16
Date of referral: 29.12.15
- (updated 15.9.16)
- (25.5.16)
Contact
Remedy group appointed
On 18 October 2016, the CMA appointed the following panel group members to the Celesio Sainsbury’s remedy group:
Simon Polito (Inquiry Chair), Sarah Chambers, Tim Tutton and Stephen Oram.
Stephen Oram ceased to be a member of the group on 31 March 2017.
Final undertakings
18 October 2016: The CMA has accepted undertakings from Celesio AG and Lloyds Pharmacy Limited to remedy the substantial lessening of competition identified in the final report.
- (18.10.16)
Notice of proposal to accept final undertakings
- (30.9.16)
- (30.9.16)
- (30.9.16)
- News story: CMA consults on Celesio/Sainsbury’s merger undertakings (30.9.16)
Interim undertakings
- (25.8.16)
- (25.8.16)
- (5.8.16)
Final report
- (PDF, 1.57 MB) (29.7.16)
- (PDF, 6.51 MB) (29.7.16)
- (29.7.16)
- Press release: Pharmacy merger gets conditional go-ahead (29.7.16)
Provisional findings
29 April 2016: The CMA has provisionally found that Celesio AG’s anticipated acquisition of Sainsbury’s pharmacy business could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in 13 areas in England and Wales.
- (29.4.16)
- (PDF, 5MB) (29.4.16)
- (29.4.16)
- (29.4.16)
- (29.4.16)
- Press release: Pharmacy sales could resolve merger concerns (29.4.16)
Evidence
The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.
Responses to provisional findings and notice of possible remedies
- (4.7.16)
- (15.6.16)
- (20.5.16)
Responses to issues statement
- (11.3.16)
Initial submissions
- (PDF, 1.2 MB) (11.3.16)
Hearing summaries
As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.
- (18.3.16)
- (10.3.16)
- (10.3.16)
- (9.3.16)
- (9.3.16)
- (9.3.16)
- (9.3.16)
Analysis
Customer research survey: CMA commissioned research
- (PDF, 2.14 MB) (1.3.16)
Issues statement
26 January 2016: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.
- (26.1.16)
- Press release: CMA publishes issues statement in pharmacy merger (26.1.16)
Inquiry group appointed
5 January 2016: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.
Simon Polito (Inquiry Chair), Sarah Chambers, Stephen Oram, and Tim Tutton.
Disclosure of interest
Stephen Oram holds a small number of ordinary shares in GlaxoSmithKline and Shire. The CMA is satisfied that this matter will not prejudice the ability of the inquiry group to discharge its functions in an independent and impartial manner.
Terms of reference
29 December 2015: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Celesio AG of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited UK Pharmacy Business.
- (29.12.15)
Phase 1
| Phase 1 dates | Action |
|---|---|
| 28 January 2016 | Decision published |
| 11 December 2015 | Decision announced |
| 9 September to 23 September 2015 | Invitation to comment |
| 9 September 2015 | Launch of merger inquiry |
Reference decision
- News story: CMA refers pharmacy merger for in-depth investigation (29.12.15)
- (13.1.16)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
- Press release: Pharmacy merger faces in-depth investigation (11.12.15)
- (28.1.16)
Launch of merger inquiry
9 September 2015: The CMA launched its phase 1 investigation following the European Commission’s decision to refer the case to the United Kingdom under Article 4(4) of the EC Merger Regulation.
- (12.10.15)
- (10.9.15)
Updates to this page
Published 28 January 2016Last updated 18 October 2016 + show all updates
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Final undertakings published and remedy group appointments added.
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Notice of proposal to accept undertakings and draft final undertakings published.
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Timetable updated.
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Notice of acceptance of interim undertakings and directions published.
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Notice of acceptance of interim undertakings published.
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Full final report published.
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Summary of final report published.
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Response to provisional findings and notice of possible remedies published.
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Response to provisional findings published.
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Timetable updated and notice of extension published.
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Response to notice of possible remedies published.
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Full provisional findings report published.
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Summary of provisional findings and notice of possible remedies published.
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Timetable updated.
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Hearing summary published.
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Response to issues statement and initial submission published.
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Hearing summaries published.
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Hearing summaries published.
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Research survey report published.
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Full text of the decision published.