Category: Investigations

Brief update in the hypothyroidism tablets competition case

A brief update has been issued in the hypothyroidism tablets competition case surrounding alleged overcharging of liothyronine medication.

The liothyronine tablets are used to treat people lacking in thyroid hormones, which can lead to tiredness, slow metabolism, depression and other ailments. The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) spent a great deal of time in 2017 gathering evidence for the case. In November 2017, a statement of objections was formally issued.

Last month, an updated statement of objections was issued by the CMA in this incredibly important investigation.

Deadline set for the investigation into funeral costs

First published by Author on February 21, 2019 in the following categories: Investigations Latest and tagged with cma | funerals market | investigations | market study

The deadline has been set for the investigation into funeral costs that appear to have soared in recent years.

We should know by May 2019 whether any further action is to be taken. This could be a formal investigation into whether breaches of consumer law is taking place, or additional studies of the market and its workings.

To point out the obvious, we’re all going to die at some point. Given that dying comes with costs, this is an important sector when it comes to healthy competition and consumer protection. That’s not just because the industry is worth billions, or the fact that it’s usually a sad time for many, but also because there’s always going to be a market for it (we assume!).

CMA initiates court action against Care UK

First published by Author on February 14, 2019 in the following categories: Care Homes Compensation Claims Investigations and tagged with care home | cma | pricing

There’s been a huge development in the care homes consumer protection case. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated court action against Care UK.

We recently blogged about the developments in the care homes consumer protection case where pre-action letters had been sent. Now, they have proceeded with court action against Care UK.

The reason for the court action is because the CMA isn’t satisfied with the response from care UK following the investigations. Although they’ve stopped charging administration fees that the CMA had deemed to be breaking consumer protection laws, they haven’t agreed to refunds. The CMA has taken issue with their stance.

Crackdown after social media influencer investigation

First published by Author on February 08, 2019 in the following categories: Incentives Investigations Latest Selling Restrictions and tagged with advertising | cma | competition law | incentives | investigations

A crackdown has been launched after a social media influencer investigation raised concerns that some product endorsements may be breaching vital competition law.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly written to a number of high-profile celebrities about their social media influencing habits. As a result of the warning letters, some social medial influencers have promised to clearly state if they’re being rewarded for endorsing products. Among those who have made the formal commitments are singers Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding.

We welcome this move and the cooperation of those involved so far.

Pharmaceutical competition investigation extended

First published by Author on February 01, 2019 in the following categories: Industry Investigations and tagged with cma | competition law | market study | Pharmaceuticals | pricing

The pharmaceutical competition investigation has had a key deadline extended this month. The time being allowed for the analysis of information has been moved.

The ongoing pharmaceutical competition investigation is an important one. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into potential breaches of important competition law. Specifically, they’re looking at two different generic pharmaceutical drugs and whether there are illegal anti-competitive agreements and conduct in place.

This is an important sector when it comes to healthy competition. Any breaches need to be severely punished.

CMA secondary ticketing investigation updated

First published by Author on January 18, 2019 in the following categories: Investigations Latest Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | pricing | secondary ticketing

There has been another update in the CMA secondary ticketing investigation following on from the recent court action against Viagogo.

As of yesterday, the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) demanded that a number of the big players in the secondary ticketing market must have improved their business behaviour. This ongoing investigation and review is hugely important given the growth in touts and overcharging. This is among practices that have arguably made pricing unclear, with the consumer not being protected by the market players.

The changes that the CMA are pushing through should help to defend the consumers against unfair practices. It should ensure consumer rights are not infringed and should enforce the ticketing companies to act more responsibly.

Loyalty penalty CMA investigation concludes

The massive loyalty penalty CMA investigation – deemed a ‘super complaint’ – has resulted in a set of reforms to stop the issue affecting people.

The investigation found “damaging practices by firms, which exploit unsuspecting customers”. This issue is estimated to equate to a cost to the consumer in the region of £4bn per year. There are thought to be millions of people affected by loyalty penalties.

The loyalty penalty CMA investigation looked at five markets: savings; insurance; mortgages; mobile phone contracts; and broadband. New regulatory rules are set to be introduced to stamp out the loyalty penalty endemic.

Viagogo taken to court by the CMA!

First published by Author on December 07, 2018 in the following categories: Compensation Claims Investigations Selling Restrictions and tagged with cma | Compensation | competition law | secondary ticketing

Big news in the competition industry right now is the news of Viagogo taken to court by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).

Proceedings were launched by the CMA in August 2018. This came off the back of the longstanding reviews and investigations they’ve been conducting into the secondary ticketing market.

Following the recent court case, the CMA has obtained a court order which compels Viagogo to change their business behaviour. It also opens the door for potentially millions of ponds to be paid back in compensation to customers. On top of that, they will also have to pay a third-party auditor to monitor their practices.

Huge funeral costs investigation development

First published by Author on November 29, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law | funerals market | market abuse | pricing

investigation into retail banking competition

There’s been a huge development in the regulator’s funeral costs investigation that we’ve been tracking for a long time now.

The Regulators, the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority), are set to move from a market study to a referral for a market investigation. Their interim report states that there are “reasonable grounds for suspecting that a feature or combination of features of a market or markets in the UK prevents, restricts or distorts competition”.

The CMA now want to look into any adverse impact on the consumer. For a huge and sensitive market that’s worth something like £2bn a year, this is big news.

Undertakings in the online gambling competition investigation

First published by Author on November 23, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations and tagged with cma | competition law | market abuse | online gambling

The regulatory investigation into online gambling competition led to undertaking being signed by key players in the market.

Undertakings are always a positive step in ensuring there’s fair competition in the market. The regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), declared enforcement action earlier this year. Now, two big companies in the market have agreed to formal undertakings to improve their practises.

This should ensure that online gambling competition is healthy and consistent. This approach should always benefit the consumer.