Health and Social Care Bill (Programme) (No. 3)

No. The OFT and the Competition Commission would obtain Monitor's view on how a proposed merger would affect competition in the sector and whether it would bring benefits for patients. These views would then be considered, along with other evidence. However, the OFT would have discretion not to refer, where patient benefits outweighed any adverse impacts on competition—further illustration of the fact that competition law is not about promoting competition as an end in itself. In conclusion—