AMCU Case Against Pharmacy Chains: A Signal for the Entire Market

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has launched a large-scale investigation against the country’s largest pharmacy chains — “ANC”, “Dobrogo Dnya”, “9-1-1”, “Podorozhnyk”, and “Bazhaemo Zdorovya”. According to the Committee, these five chains control 64% of the market turnover and over 42% of pharmacy outlets in Ukraine.
For business, this is not just breaking news. It marks a turning point in the state’s approach to regulating competition.

⚖️ What the AMC is checking
The Antimonopoly Committee is analyzing possible coordinated actions between companies, which may lead to market monopolization and the establishment of non-transparent prices for medicines. This does not refer solely to classic collusion — even informal alignment of commercial policy through joint suppliers or IT platforms can be qualified as anti-competitive concerted practices.
At the center of attention are pricing, discount policy, interactions with distributors, and marketing arrangements that may create artificial barriers for other market participants.

💡 What this means for business
This investigation could become a precedent for all sectors where market concentration lies with major players — from fuel to retail or online platforms.
Every business operating in a highly competitive environment should assess its own commercial relationships:

• are there risks of cross-arrangements with competitors or joint suppliers;
• do your marketing agreements contain elements of price or conduct coordination;
• do your company’s internal policies comply with antimonopoly law?

🛡️ How to protect your company
WINNER Law Firm lawyers emphasize:
“In today’s environment, the risk of violating competition law arises not only out of intent to collude, but also through carelessness or lack of compliance. Every letter to a supplier, every business meeting, or exchange of market data is a potential risk point.”
To avoid claims from the AMC, companies should:

1. Conduct an antimonopoly audit of contracts and policies.
2. Implement compliance programs and provide training for management.
3. Establish internal controls over communication with competitors.
4. Develop a response strategy for AMC requests or searches.
   Author: Oleksandr Nakonechnyi – attorney, head of corporate and commercial law practice at WINNER Law Firm.

🚀 WINNER’s position

The WINNER Law Firm team supports clients in AMC cases, conducts comprehensive risk audits, prepares defense positions and strategies for interaction with regulatory authorities.
Our approach is the preventive protection of business, where every document, agreement, or consultation adheres to a single principle:

“We don’t just react — we anticipate.”

📞 Submit an application or contact us in any way convenient for you and receive professional support today.

If your business operates in a competitive environment, now is the time to check how protected you are.
👉 Contact WINNER Law Firm — we provide a legal advantage where others see only risks.

WINNER means your victory!