Lyfja‘s acquisition of Opna (Apótek MOS)

• Get document
• Case number: 9/2021
• Date: 26/3/2021
• Company:
  • Lyfja hf
  • Opna ehf.
• Sectors:
  • Consumer goods, supplies and etc.
• Policy Area:
  • Mergers
• Summary

  The Icelandic Competition Authority (ICA) has examined the merger between Lyfja hf. (Lyfja) and Opna ehf. (Opnu). The merger was notified 12 November 2020, with long form notification on basis of Art. 17 a of the Icelandic Competition Act No. 44/2005.

  Lyfja is the largest pharmaceutical chain in the country and operates pharmacies under the brand names Lyfja and Apótekið. In addition, Lyfja operates Heilsuhúsið, Lyfjalausnir and the wholesaler Heilsa ehf. Opna operates one pharmacy, Apótek MOS, in Mosfellsbær.

  On 16 December 2020, the ICA announced to the merging parties that there were ground for further examination of the transaction. The ICA concluded that there were no grounds to intervene because of the merger, as there were no indications that a dominant market position would be formed or that the merger would otherwise lead to a significant distortion of competition.