Voluntary Compliance Undertaking of Merck Canada Inc. to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

1.0 Product Summary

1.1 Dificid (fidaxomicin) is indicated for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults 18 years of age and older.

1.2 Health Canada Issued a Notice of Compliance (NOC) to Cubist Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Cubist) for the sale of Dificid on June 7, 2012. Sales in Canada commenced on June 21, 2012.

1.3 Canadian Patent No. 2,676,003 pertaining to Dificid was issued on April 10, 2012 and will expire January 17, 2028.

1.4 Merck acquired Cubist in January 2015.

1.5 Merck Canada Inc. is the patentee for purposes of the Patent Act and Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).

2.0 Application of the Excessive Price Guidelines

2.1 The PMPRB's Human Drug Advisory Panel (HDAP) recommended Dificid be reviewed as a moderate level of therapeutic improvement based on primary factors and identified vancomycin and metronidazole as comparators.

2.2 In accordance with the Guidelines, a TCC test was conducted, and the Midpoint between the Median International Price Comparison (MIPC) test and the TCC test was calculated. The results of these tests indicated that the introductory price of Dificid exceeded the Guidelines at a level that triggered the investigation criteria.

2.3 The National Average Transaction Price (N-ATP) of Dificid was above the Maximum Average Potential Price (MAPP) resulting In excess revenues of $137,518.36. Cumulative excess revenues were calculated to be $400,000.00

3.0 Position of the Patentee

3.1 This Voluntary Compliance Undertaking (VCU) constitutes no admission by Merck Canada Inc. that the price of Dificid in Canada is now, or was at any time since date of first sale, excessive for purposes of the Patent Act.

3.2 The list price of Dificid will be reduced to $94.6000 on January 1, 2016.

3.3 The list prices as of June 2015 of the seven PMPRB international comparator countries are;

Country Class of Customer Local Price 36-month Exchange Rate* Price ($CDN)*
Italy Wholesaler 75 (EURO) 1.3859 $104
Italy Retail 79 (EURO) 1.3859 $109
Sweden Retail 719 (SEK) 0.1558 $112
Switzerland Wholesaler 97 (CHF) 1.1660 $113
United Kingdom Retail 68 (GBP) 1.7210 $116
Germany Wholesaler 87 (EURO) 1.3859 $121
Germany Retail 89 (EURO) 1.3859 $123
USA FSS 85 (USD) 1.0830 $92
USA Wholesaler 165 (USD) 1.0830 $179
*Based on 36-month average exchange rate ending June 2015

4.0 Terms of the Voluntary Compliance Undertaking (VCU)

4.1 In order to ccmply wtth the Guidelines, Merck Canada Inc. agrees to undertake the following:

4.1.1 To agree that 2016 National Non-Excessive Average Price (N-NEAP) of Dificid is $94.6000

4.1.2 To reduce the price of Dificld 200 mg tablet on January 1, 2016;

4.1.3 To offset cumulative excess revenues received by Merck Canada Inc. by making a payment to Her Majesty In right of Canada in the amount of $400,000.00 within 30 days of the acceptance of this VCU;

4.1.4 Within 15 days of the price reduction, to provide notification to customers that the price reduction of Dificid was for purposes of ensuring adherence to the Guidelines, include a reference to the PMPRB website for the complete text of this VCU, and provide copies of such notifications to Board Staff.

4.1.5 To file evidence with Board Staff within 30 days of the price reduction to ensure that the prices of Dificid have been reduced in a manner consistent with the tenns of this VCU; and

4.1.6 To ensure that the price of Dificid remains within the Guidelines in all future periods during which Dificid is under the PMPRB's jurisdiction.

Signature : [Original signed by]

Name : Chirfi Guindo

Title : President & Managing Director

Patentee : Merck Canada Inc.

Date : November 20, 2015

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