The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has imposed fines totaling HUF 547.8 million (€1.38 million) on three medical device companies for participating in a cartel involving diagnostic imaging equipment. The decision follows a partially repeated procedure ordered by Hungary’s Curia, which confirmed the existence of the cartel but required a recalculation of the penalties.
The sanctioned companies — GE Hungary Ipari és Kereskedelmi Kft., Premier G. Med Egészségügyi Kft., and Medirex Zrt. — had originally appealed the GVH’s 2020 ruling that imposed more than HUF 1.6 billion in fines on ten companies for collusion in public procurement procedures. While the Curia upheld the finding of prohibited market division, it instructed the GVH to reconsider the fines for these three companies.
In the repeated proceedings, the firms acknowledged the facts established by the authority, waived their right to further appeal, and cooperated fully, which resulted in significant reductions in their fines. The Competition Council allocated the penalties as follows:
- GE Hungary: HUF 238.8 million (€600,000)
- Premier G. Med: HUF 202.3 million (€510,000)
- Medirex Zrt.: HUF 106.7 million (€270,000)
Combined with fines already paid by other participants in the original case — more than HUF 861 million — the GVH’s enforcement has generated a total of over HUF 1.4 billion (€3.56 million) for the central budget.
The GVH highlighted that this case demonstrates the benefits of cooperation with the national competition authority. Under Hungary’s Competition Act, companies that voluntarily admit wrongdoing, provide evidence, or cooperate in investigations may see their fines substantially reduced or even avoided entirely.
Launched in early 2020, the GVH’s probe revealed widespread collusion among companies supplying diagnostic imaging devices to hospitals and clinics, distorting competition in public procurement markets. The authority reiterated that cartel conduct not only undermines fair competition but also places a heavy burden on public healthcare budgets.
