MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) – The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has launched a case over cartel of medical products’ suppliers at 185 auctions across Russia, the watchdog’s statement reads on Monday.

Several participants of auctions for procurement of endoprostheses, implants for osteosynthesis, supplies for traumatology and other medical goods are suspected of reaching and implementation of anticompetition agreement costing one billion rubles (about $17.3 million).

The auctions were held in 2015-2017 and resulted in minimal drop in prices.

The Service notes that cartels in the sphere of healthcare were revealed in overwhelming majority of Russian regions and are covering almost all categories of drugs and all medical goods.