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Statutory timetable

*This date is the current statutory deadline by when the decision will be announced. If any change occurs, the information is refreshed as soon as practicable. However, the CMA cannot guarantee that the decision will be announced on or before this current deadline, as the deadline of a given case may change during the merger assessment process due to different reasons.

Phase 1

Launch of merger inquiry

26 May 2023: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (PDF, 96KB) (26.5.23)

Invitation to comment: closed on 9 May 2023

24 April 2023: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Initial enforcement order

14 April 2023: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Bestway Healthcare Holdings Limited, Bestway Healthcare Finco Limited, Bestway Panacea Holdings Limited, Kericho Holding Limited, Lexon UK Holdings Limited, and Norchem Healthcare Limited. The IEO commenced on 14 April 2023, the day the Parties completed the transaction.

• Initial Enforcement Order (PDF, 231 KB) (17.4.22)

Amendments / consents granted:

• Derogation 14 April 2023 (PDF, 147 KB) (24.4.23)
• Derogation 30 May 2023 (PDF, 99KB) (1.6.23)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest:

Lavinia de Havilland: Lavinia.deHavilland@cma.gov.uk