Category: Investigations
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain-relief mouthwash
First published by Author on June 29, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | overpriced medication | pricing
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain relief mouthwash is a serious allegation that must be closely investigated.
The allegations are that the company behind high-street chain Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance, are reportedly overcharging the NHS by almost 3,500% for pain-relieving mouthwash used by cancer patients.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are considering the issue and health Minister, Steve Brine, is calling for an urgent investigation.
Musical instruments and equipment sector competition investigations
First published by Author on June 22, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law
The musical instruments and equipment sector is in the midst of competition investigations over suspected anti-competitive agreements.
The UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), are investigating the sector in accordance with Chapter I CA98 and Article 101 TFEU.
This massively profitable market sector has boomed in recent years. Now, under the microscope of UK competition regulators, we will find out if there is anything that the consumers need to be concerned about when it comes to competition within the market.
Competition and Markets Authority study in to the heat networks market
First published by Author on June 01, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
At the end of last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a study in to the heat networks market, which is the market that involves the generation and distribution of heat to buildings.
The study was launched to ensure that the market was working for the consumers, and since the launch of their investigations at the end of 2017, a number of action steps have taken place.
These kinds of studies are common for the CMA to engage in as they look at any sector in the UK to make sure there is healthy competition and ensure that the consumer is always being treated fairly. The CMA will usually talk to the businesses involved in the market and obtain data from consumers and public sector sources.
The CMA are investigating the provision of residential estate agency services
First published by Author on May 18, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations
The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) are investigating the provision of residential estate agency services over suspicions that there may be anti-competitive agreements in place, contrary to Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98).
The investigation came off the back of information gleaned from a previous investigations involving residential estate agency services in the Burnham-on-Sea area.
Not a great deal of information has been released about his one given that the investigation is in its infancy, but it could be a big one if the CMA find that there are anti-competitive arrangements in place.
Customers being duped into bogus holiday discounts and deals
First published by Author on April 06, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with holiday deals
According to investigations by consumer group Which?, who have asked Trading Standards to investigate travel firms, consumers are potentially being duped into purchasing holiday deals in bogus sales and discount schemes.
Promotions were reportedly tracked, and it was found that some discounts and deals were available for the same price or less after a time-limited “sale” had ended.
Some travel firms are being accused of offering misleading discounts to dupe holidaymakers into paying hundreds of pounds more than necessary off the back of bogus deals.
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CMA investigate the design, construction and fit-out services industry
First published by Author on March 30, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | construction industry
At the end of last year, six months on from initial investigations and information gathering, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decided to open investigations in to the ‘design, construction and fit-out services’ sector over suspicions of competition act breaches.
No conclusions have yet to emerge, and the investigations remain ongoing. However, this sector has had its fair share of investigations and breaches in the past, so we wouldn’t be at all surprised if the investigation concludes that the law has been broken in some way.
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CMA decision published: anti-competitive arrangements lead to fines of £1.71m issued to suppliers of ‘cleanroom’ laundry services
First published by Author on March 15, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | competition law
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decision was published about Micronclean Limited and Berendsen Cleanroom Services Limited who were found to have allocated territories and customers plus both companies had agreed not to compete with each other’s relevant allocations.
This is a very serious breach of competition laws – the market is essentially rigged in their favour by sharing the market and agreeing not to compete. This can lead to inflated prices, a lack of innovation and little choice for consumers in the market. This behaviour favours the companies financially, and not the consumer; totally against the principles of fair competition.
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A review of the construction recruitment agencies competition investigation
First published by Admin on February 23, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cartels | price fixing
Six construction recruitment agencies were found to be in breach of the Competition Act 1998 between 2004 and 2006 by creating a cartel in order to boycott another company, Parc UK, and fix the fee rates they would charge other construction companies as well.
The six companies reportedly met on five occasions where they agreed to not use Parc, who were a mediator between recruitment agencies and constructions companies. Parc was apparently putting pressure on the margins of the six construction recruitment agencies involved.
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CMA provides updated reports on investigations into the care home sector
First published by Admin on February 09, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | elderly homes
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a couple of reports concerning their investigations into the care home market in the U.K. The first is a final report on the general market, and looks at how elderly and vulnerable residents are being treated. The second consists of an order to stop care homes from overcharging families in upfront costs, fees and continuing to charge families when the resident passes away.
The care home sector has seen a fair amount of scrutiny in the past few years, and for good reason. These institutions take in the elderly and vulnerable to provide them with a home and a sense of community with peers. These people are the most susceptible to harm as their physical and mental states deteriorate; relying on carers to look after them.
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CMA investigating pharmaceutical sector for alleged excessive and unfair pricing over liothyronine tablets
First published by Admin on February 02, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | price fixing
After a year of making its preliminary probes, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided that there are substantive grounds and evidence to continue investigations into the pharmaceutical sector for allegedly charging excessive and unfair prices for liothyronine tablets.
Liothyronine tablets are used to treat hypothyroidism. Without enough thyroid hormones, our bodies’ metabolism slows down, making us feel tired, depressed and cold, all the while putting the pounds on. Liothyronine isn’t the main drug used to treat hypothyroidism but a lot of people are not suited to the primary drug and can only take liothyronine.
The suspected players in the market may be distorting competition for the thyroid hormone drugs
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