Case details

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Anticompetitive practices
Case reference
PRC/2004/29
Entities involved
  • Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas
Natural persons involved
No
Sector
  • Health & Pharmaceutical
  • Liberal Professions
Activity (NACE)
  • Q862 - Medical and dental practice activities
Investigated practice
  • Decision of association of undertakings
Legal provisions
  • European-EC Treaty-Article 81
  • National-Law 18/2003-Article 4
Case origin
Ex-officio
Dawn raids
No
Cooperation with sector regulators
  • ERS - Health Regulatory Entity
Status
Closed
AdC’s decision
Sanctioning decision
Settlement
Sanction imposed
  • Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas - €160,181.00
Summary of the case

The Competition Authority became aware of the existence of a "Table of Fees" that fixed the minimum and maximum fees to be charged by dentists, which was published on the Internet page of the Portuguese Dentists Association. On 11.10.2004, the Board of the Competition Authority decided to order the opening of an enquiry for signs of practices restricting competition, which constitute an infringement proceeding under the terms of paragraph 1 of Article 4 of Law 18/2003, of 11 June, and a violation of paragraph 1 of Article 81 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.                                                                                                                   On 30.06.2005, the Board issued a Decision accusing the Portuguese Dentists Association of an infringement of Article 4(1) of Law 18/2003, of 11 June, and an infringement of Article 81(1) of the Treaty, as its conduct constitutes a decision by an association of undertakings, the object and effect of which is to restrict competition between dentists in a liberal profession, by interfering with the free play of the market in determining the price of their services.

Timeline
2005-08-29
2005-06-30
2005-03-29
Statement of objections
2004-10-11
Case initiation
Judicial phase chronology - Final decision appeal
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