What is taking so long?

Simple question. What is taking the FDA so long to approve/deny this sale? Any idea?

(Real answers only)

 

That would be the FTC

 

It really boils down to the fact that the industry is already so compressed. The FTC has requested additional information regarding the purchase and this shows that they are leary about further shrinking a market that has already been accused of monopolized style price setting.
Mid February is being looked at as the timeframe in which a decision is made one way or the other with the FTC either accepting with stipulations or saying they will sue over the merger. If that happens it will die.