DOJ OKs AmerisourceBergen Pandemic Collaborative

The collaborative is distributing hydroxychloroquine from the government's Strategic National Stockpile to healthcare providers in hard-hit areas.

The Department of Justice said this week it will not mount an antitrust challenge against AmerisourceBergen Corp. collaborations to obtain coronavirus-related medical supplies.

AmerisourceBergen’s collaborative falls within the same emergency response efforts that dictated the Medical Supplies Distributors’ conduct in a previous Business Review Letter, DOJ said.

"We commend AmerisourceBergen's efforts to assist the United States in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through improved supply of medicines to those most in need," Assistant U.S. Attorney General Makan Delrahim of DOJ's Antitrust Division, said in a media release.

The collaborative is facilitating distribution of hydroxychloroquine from the government's Strategic National Stockpile to healthcare providers in hard-hit areas. Under the arrangement, AmerisourceBergen is instructed on volumes and ship-to destinations, using its distribution network.

AmerisourceBergen applied for an antitrust exemption on March 24 under the Joint Antitrust Statement Regarding COVID-19 issued by DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission.  

"We also appreciate AmerisourceBergen's intention to comply with the antitrust laws, regardless of circumstances. Division staff worked expeditiously to resolve its request for a Business Review Letter within our ambitious seven-day target," Delrahim said.