On January 24, in order to effectively prevent and stop monopoly behavior in the pharmaceutical sector and safeguard consumer interests and social public interests, the State Council Anti-monopoly and Anti-unfair Competition Committee formulated and issued the "Anti-monopoly Guidelines for the Pharmaceutical Sector" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines").

The "Guidelines" have 7 chapters and 55 articles. Aiming at the prominent monopoly problems in the pharmaceutical sector, they further refine the behavior, law enforcement principles and identification standards of monopoly behavior in the pharmaceutical sector.

The "Guidelines" refine the behavior of monopoly agreements in the pharmaceutical sector. First, they list typical horizontal and vertical monopoly agreements in the pharmaceutical sector, and clarify the identification principles and ideas of anti-monopoly law enforcement agencies;

Second, they summarize the behavior of new monopoly agreements in the pharmaceutical sector, and summarize the considerations for the application of the "Anti-monopoly Law" to reverse payment agreements;

Third, they point out the main ways to organize and provide substantial assistance in reaching monopoly agreements in the pharmaceutical sector and the legal responsibilities they face;

Fourth, they refine the applicable conditions for the provisions of non-prohibition and exemption of monopoly agreements, and provide clearer guidance for operators.

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