The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided to oppose the proposed acquisition of Healius Ltd. by Australian Clinical Labs Ltd. (ACL). Both ACL & Healius operate in the “market for supply of pathology services”. Following an in-depth investigation & after receiving commitment offered by ACL, ACCC opined that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of out-patient pathology services, private hospital in-patient pathology services, and commercial pathology services, since there are major overlaps in the services offered by both the companies & there is less likelihood of a timely or efficient expansion of any new or existing competitor that could address the loss of competition arising due to the proposed acquisition.
