Industry and Regulatory PG met in Vienna

International: bnt experts meet to discuss EFPIA transparency, competition in distribution plus developments in EU public procurement law.

On 14/15 June 2015, the members of our bnt | attorneys-at law international Industry & RegulatoryPractice Group (PG) came together in Vienna to discuss topical issues in the fields of pharmacy, public procurement and competition.

Our Industry & Regulatory PG consists of 21 experts from all offices focusing on life sciences, public procurement and competition law who are eager to keep track of latest developments, to look beyond the obvious and find inspiring common PG goals resulting in high value specialist advice to clients across state borders.

 

We understand that building group cohesion and commitment requires more than simply working together on assignments. So, our monthly conference calls to exchange experience and news, brainstorm solutions to inquiries and legal challenges form only part of our collaboration. In addition, we exchange face time during practice group meetings to build trust between group members, to socialize and strengthen group identity as well as to take on the challenge of new tasks. During our meetings we try to make contact with local institutions and companies to obtain insider views on practical and topical questions from other countries and learn from their experience.

 

The present focus of our Pharmaceuticals and life sciencesPG Subgroup lies with the EFPIA Disclosure Code and its implementation in the ten CEE countries where we are established. Our goal is by the beginning of September 2015 to provide internationally operating pharmaceutical companies with a professional overview on implementation status, practical legal consequences, data protection issues and the level of possible enforcement in case of non-compliance with requirements. We will also be glad to explain our findings at one of our “Meet the experts” events in autumn of this year.  

 

The present goal of our Competition PG Subgroupis to raise the awareness of clients and colleagues in competition law matters. Because of the complexity and broad scope of this field, many companies are not always aware of competition law risks that could result in severe fines. With that in mind, our attorneys are in the process of developing awareness checklists and outlines for clients and colleagues on compliance plus assessment of competition law infringements, thereby aiming to secure clients during their business transactions from wrong behaviour and harmful clauses. Besides, we place special attention on distributor relationships. A meeting and discussion with the Austrian Competition Authority confirms the importance of awareness and has given our group practical insights into new solutions for infringements of competition law, such as settlements and leniency procedures.

Our Public procurementPG Subgroup aims at providing clients and others interested with insights into essential regulation and practical aspects of the national procurement laws of each country where bnt is represented. The Subgroup further plans to report regularly on interesting potential public procurement projects. The Subgroup closely follows reforms to public procurement law on the EU level and their implications for national procedures, a matter of major importance and interest for clients and colleagues.

Our five international core practice groups form the pillars of our legal services. We at bnt are aware that legal specialization and solid knowledge of clients’ business forge the key to delivering competent and creative advice and to assisting clients in meeting their goals. This enables our practice groups to ensure that each matter is handled by specialists in their field for each jurisdiction and for cross-border assignments. Through our practice groups we are able to form teams of legal experts from different jurisdictions to find sound and comprehensive solutions for clients.

 

For more information on our Industry & RegulatoryPractice Group, please visit our webpage: https://www.bnt.eu/en/industry-regulatory or contact the head of the PG, attorney-at-law Yvonne Goldammer directly: . We look always forward to get into contact with you.

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