MediMedia applies to acquire medical publications

Media Release
Issued 24 November 2003-04 / 067

MediMedia applies to acquire medical publications

The Commerce Commission has received an application from MediMedia (NZ) Limited seeking clearance to acquire the Closed Circuit Journal Portfolio (CCJ) of publications currently published by Adis International Limited.

Worldwide, the MediMedia Group specialises in publishing drug information. In New Zealand, MediMedia publishes via electronic and print media a wide range of products including drug directories, professional newspapers and patient health information. MediMedia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom based Cinven Group.

Adis (an acronym of Australasian Drug Information Services) was formed in the early 1990s as a supplier of prescription drug information to pharmacies and doctors. The company then evolved as a publisher of clinical drug and drug treatment information. The CCJ Portfolio consists of five publications - New Zealand GP, New Ethicals Journal, New Ethicals Catalogue of Drugs, New Ethicals Compendium and New Ethicals Counselling Compendium.

In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the merger has the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

A public version of the application from MediMedia will shortly be available on the Commission's website under Adjudication.

ENDS

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