Just a bit of immaterial housekeeping here, tonight — as the amount of the fines / damages in Spain are definitively immaterial to Merck.

But it was for allegedly anti-competitive behaviors, in keeping other contraceptive ring manufacturers at bay inside the country — all aimed at keeping selling prices high (on the legacy Organon products). Here is the latest, from FiercePharma:

…Merck has been hit with a fine in Spain for alleged anti-competitive practices. The Spanish antitrust watchdog National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has docked the New Jersey pharma giant 39 million euros ($38.45 million) for hindering a generic version of its NuvaRing contraceptive device.

The agency said that Merck used deceptive practices in preventing Insud Pharma of Spain from marketing its device. The U.S. company also obtained a court order that barred Insud from manufacturing its generic in Spain, the CNMC said, which effectively prevented Insud from selling the device anywhere in the world.

…Merck said it disagrees with the ruling and is considering options including an appeal….

The case dates to 2018 when… [regulators said Merck was abusing the global patent processes] “in order to delay and hinder the entry into the market of third-party competitors in Spain….”

Oh — and Mr. Davis — a competent (if uninspiring, and non-charismatic) leader… has become the Chairman, as well — with Mr. Frazier’s final curtain call effective December 1, 2022. Now you know… smiling.

नमस्ते