Bachelet: We are not going to accept unethical business practices

SANTIAGO.- President Michelle Bachelet spoke out emphatically against the anti-competitive practices linked to the nation's three largest pharmaceutical chains.

"I want to make this extremely clear: My administration is not going to accept unethical business practices of any kind, especially any having to do with medication, which put both the people's health and lives at risk", she warned.

After deeming the agreement reached between the three companies to raise drug prices "a severe and shameful offense", the President stated that her administration wishes to ensure that "free competition regulations are obeyed and that basic needs as fundamental as health are not abused".

The case referred to by the President, which has caused much commotion within the citizenry, is the government announcement made 3 days ago about companies suspected of having fixed prices on more than 200 medications between November of 2007 and March of 2008.