MOSCOW, November 15 (RAPSI) – The Federal Antimonopoly Service’s Moscow Directorate revealed a cartel agreement between two companies at four medical consumables delivery auctions.

The total contract price is estimated at 100.4 million rubles (about $1.6 million), the watchdog statement reads.

In 2016, within a month companies The First Element and Natsstandard took part in the auctions held by medical institutions of Moscow, Moscow Region and Bryansk. Goods for purchase included medical expendables for blood supply services, hemodialysis and endoscopy. Natsstandard won two auctions for a total amount of 95.4 million rubles, the second company won two other auctions totaling 4.4 million rubles.

The FAS’ directorate revealed that the companies had single infrastructure and exchanged information during the auctions in their own interests. They were found violators of the antimonopoly law and could face fines.