BRUSSELS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) Friday approved the proposed acquisition of the U.S. healthcare company Schering-Plough by the U.S. global pharmaceutical company Merck.

    The EC analyzed the competitive effect of the proposed merger and found there were no real competition concerns, as the products of Merck and Schering-Plough were not close competitors.

    Besides, there would be enough credible competitors in the market after the proposed transaction.

    Under the EU merger regulation, which has direct effect, mergers or concentrations with a Community dimension are subject to exclusive examination by the EC.

    Merck is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company active in pharmaceuticals and vaccines, while Schering-Plough is a global science-based healthcare company, active in human prescription pharmaceuticals, animal health and over-the-counter consumer healthcare.