Leap in sanctions for the benefit of consumers: in 2016 and in the first months of 2017, the Antitrust imposed penalties for 306 million, a real record, growing by 21% compared to the 253 million of the previous year. Standing out in the Authority's "medal collection" is the maxi-fine of over 5 million inflicted on Aspen (pharmaceutical), hit for "exploitation of excessive prices". It is not the only case of a new phenomenon which marks the return of aggressive practices on prices, with markups ranging from 300 to 1.500 per cent, which are the mirror of a political panorama where, on a global level, economic nationalisms and protectionism of all kinds.
This is the photograph of the last year of work that Giovanni Pitruzzella, president of the Antitrust, presented to the Chamber during the ritual annual report to Parliament. Overall, he specified, the proceedings brought forward during the period considered were: 13 for agreements, 9 for abuses, 73 for the control of concentrations and 145 for consumer protection.
" The competition – Pitruzzella underlined – stimulates competitiveness and innovation, therefore growth”. And it is a factor in reducing inequality.
In the last year, competition - he said - has been seriously questioned by the emergence of new and unconventional political forces. The success of economic nationalism in the United States it is the confirmation of the growing dissatisfaction with the global markets. “There is – he underlined again – who is even starting to talk about deglobalization of markets. If competitive dynamics are hindered, the first to suffer are consumers, and consequently the gap between rich and poor increases".
The risk of weakening competition in national markets can lead "to the increase in monopoly rents and inequalities, reducing the possibility of consumer choice, raising the prices of many goods and discouraging innovation”.
Pitruzzella also pointed the finger at the internal situation: “There is no shortage of reactions against the opening of the markets. Just think about the complex parliamentary process of the "annual" bill on competition, which seems to be arriving at his for the first time approval, although depowered compared to its initial contents".
The president of the Authority has broken a spear in favor of sharing economy, also returning to the taxi case. On the topic of new high-tech mobility services (Uber and NCC) – he recalled – the Antitrust called for the reform of the entire non-scheduled mobility sector towards greater openness to competition”. And he highlighted the fact that many liberalizations are still unfinished.
The President wanted to underline with satisfaction the innovative antitrust actions, among which stands out the figure of abuse for excessive prices. Although required by European competition law, it seemed to have been forgotten by now. In fact, the Antitrust defines the fine as more than 5 million euros ad Aspen – the South African pharmaceutical giant had in fact increased the prices of anti-cancer drugs by up to 1500% – as one of the best shares in recent years.
