The French competition authority fined Johnson & Johnson 25 million euros ($29.62 million) for allegedly stalling generic copies of its pain medication Durogestic from entering the market, according to CNBC.
J&J's painkiller is a skin patch that contains fentanyl and is used to control moderate to severe chronic pain. Often, it prescribed for cancer patients.
The French Autorite de la Concurence said J&J deliberately and consistently made an effort to block the approval processes in France for any generic versions of its pain patch. The authority also claims the drugmaker denigrated any generic versions when discussing them with healthcare personnel.
J&J could not immediately be reached for comment, according to CNBC.
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