Antitrust investigation on cartel conducts in neonatal screening services contracted by public health institutions in Mexico.

The competition enforcer of Mexico, the Federal Economic Competition Commission (“COFECE”), announced today, June 6, the initiation of an investigation into the market of comprehensive medical services for neonatal metabolic screening tests and products related to the application of neonatal metabolic screening, as well as goods, services and procedures related thereto, contracted by public health institutions (the “Investigated Market”) for the possible commission of cartel conducts.


COFECE will investigate whether competitors that participate in the Investigated Market coordinated prices, restricted supply, divided or allocated portions of the Investigated Market, coordinated positions in tenders, or exchanged information among themselves with the aim or effect of carrying out some of the aforementioned conducts.


Once the investigation is concluded, COFECE could impose fines of up to 10% of the economic agents who directly participated in any collusive conduct, regardless of civil and criminal liability. Additionally, individuals involved in such conduct could be disqualified from serving as board members, administrators, directors, managers, executives, or agents of a company for up to 5 years and fined with up to more than 20 million pesos.


For additional information, please contact:


Fernando Carreño, Partner:+52 (55) 5258-1042 | fcarreno@vwys.com.mx


Sergio López, Partner:+52 (55) 5258-1042 | slopez@vwys.com.mx