Sen. Elizabeth Warren penned a letter Jan. 25 asking the Federal Trade Commission to "closely scrutinize" two proposed pharma deals: Amgen and Horizon Therapeutics, and Indivior and Opiant.
In December, global drugmaker Amgen said it planned to buy the biotech company that specializes in rare disease treatments for $27.8 billion — 2022's most expensive acquisition announcement. A month prior, specialty pharmacy business Indivior said it planned to scoop Opiant, an addiction and drug overdose treatment company, for $145 million.
"Given these companies' records of anti-competitive business practices, these acquisitions could cause further price increases on lifesaving drugs and prevent affordable alternatives from entering the market," the letter said. "The FTC should carefully scrutinize these deals and oppose any Big Pharma acquisition that will threaten competition, reduce innovation or increase costs for American families."