During a parliamentary hearing on December 1, the head of Trinidad and Tobago’s Private Pharmacy Retail Business Association (PPRBA) revealed that no official antitrust complaint has been filed with the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) despite two years of public allegations about pharmaceutical market dominance.
Glenwayne Suchit, president of PPRBA, testified before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) at Port of Spain’s Cabildo Building, acknowledging that only an informal complaint was submitted to the FTC on September 6, 2024. PAAC Chairman Jagdeo Singh presented correspondence showing the FTC had responded within seven days, requesting extensive documentation to initiate any potential investigation.
Suchit confirmed that despite receiving a comprehensive list of required evidence from the commission last September, the association had not provided the necessary materials to trigger a formal probe. When questioned by Singh about whether any investigation had commenced, Suchit responded, “No investigation has been launched.”
The hearing revealed ongoing tensions between independent pharmacies and major pharmaceutical distributors. Suchit repeated previous claims that Aventa, part of the Agostini Group, controls approximately 74% of the private pharmaceutical market and 70% of the wholesale distribution sector alongside two other major players.
According to the association’s submission, approximately 700 of Trinidad and Tobago’s 900 most prescribed medications are concentrated within a single supplier’s supply chain. Suchit alleged widespread pricing discrimination, citing examples where SuperPharm (also owned by Agostini) could sell common medications like Panadol at lower prices than independent pharmacies could purchase them wholesale.
Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John intervened, suggesting that the FTC cannot fulfill its statutory duties without proper formal complaints and evidence submission. “Why don’t you use your own impetus?” she challenged, implying the association needed to take more concrete action.
The session grew heated when Suchit claimed independent pharmacies were being denied access to subsidized Chronic Disease Assistance Programme drugs and accused distributors of “unfair trading” and having “no principles.” Chairman Singh cautioned him to avoid “emotional hyperbole,” prompting an apology from the association president.
The revelations come five months after Aventa Group CEO James Walker publicly dismissed monopoly allegations, setting the stage for continued tensions in Trinidad and Tobago’s pharmaceutical sector.