The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of Standpharm Pakistan (Private) Limited by Crest Garments International (Private) Limited. The regulator said the transaction poses no risk to market competition in the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical sectors.
According to the CCP, the acquisition is part of an internal corporate restructuring. Both companies are owned and managed by the same group of shareholders. The regulator noted that the deal will not result in any change of control or management, and the current market dynamics will remain intact.
Standpharm Pakistan is a recognized player in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Its portfolio spans 19 therapeutic categories, including antibiotics, vitamins, pain management, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric treatments.
In contrast, Crest Garments International primarily operates in garment manufacturing and has no current presence in the pharmaceutical industry. After reviewing the transaction, the CCP concluded that the merger does not create horizontal, vertical, or conglomerate overlaps between the two companies. This ensures that competition in the market remains unaffected.
The commission further highlighted that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets are highly competitive, with moderate concentration and frequent entry of new players. “The transaction is unlikely to reduce competition or create dominance in any relevant market,” the CCP said.
The acquisition simply reorganizes the ownership structure within the same group, leaving consumer choice and market dynamics unchanged. The approval allows the transaction to proceed smoothly as a routine intra-group restructuring.
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This move marks another example of corporate consolidation in Pakistan’s growing life sciences sector, demonstrating that intra-group acquisitions can take place without affecting market competition. The CCP continues to monitor such transactions to ensure a fair and competitive business environment in the country.
