Category: Price Hikes

£7m in fines issued in office fit-out competition case

cma roofing materials sector investigations

A huge £7m in total fines has been issued after five companies have admitted to breaches in the office fit-out competition case.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating the design, construction and fit-out services market since 2017. In July 2018, they decided to continue their probes, and in March this year, fines have been issued and agreed.

The five companies that have admitted to breaches and will be fined are Coriolis, Fourfront, Loop, Oakley and ThirdWay.

Provisional finding in hydrocortisone competition case

There’s been a provisional finding by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the important hydrocortisone competition case, with a Statement of Objections issued.

In the coming weeks, the CMA expect written and oral representations to be made following the Statement of Objections that’s been issued.

The provisional findings of the CMA are incredibly worrying. It all comes down whether the two companies at the heart of the investigation colluded in order to charge higher prices and make bigger profits; all at the expense of our NHS, and our hard-earned tax money.

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.

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.

Random Argos price changes?

First published by Author on January 04, 2019 in the following categories: Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with comparison sites | pricing | retail

investigation into retail banking competition

An investigation last year reportedly indicated randomness in terms of Argos price changes, alongside Amazon, AO, John Lewis and Currys PC World.

The internet has allowed for price comparison to be a huge factor in consumer decision making. In the aftermath of Christmas, when sales are everywhere, the consumer is expecting to make some savings.

But a consumer report last year reportedly indicated some strange behaviours when it came to Argos price changes. The same was also found for Amazon, AO, John Lewis and Currys PC World as well.

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.

CMA consider appeal in phenytoin competition case

First published by Author on August 17, 2018 in the following categories: Market Sharing Price Fixing Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law | market abuse | price fixing | pricing

The CMA is considering an appeal in the phenytoin competition case after a Tribunal found that the CMA ruling of market abuse is incorrect.

The phenytoin competition case is one of the most pivotal cases of our time in terms of the cost of drugs to the NHS. A number of investigations and findings have been made against pharmaceutical giants for overcharging the NHS, putting huge strains on public finances, and the CMA’s intervention is vital for the survival of our public health service.

The Tribunal decision in the phenytoin competition case is a setback that the CMA is now considering an appeal for.

Price fixing advice on a confidential basis

First published by Author on July 27, 2018 in the following categories: Price Fixing Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with price fixing | pricing

If you need Price fixing advice on a confidential basis, we can advise you, and we may be able to assist you with legal action as well.

Many instances of competition law infringements are highlighted by investigations conducted by the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), or where a whistle-blower from an organisation involved in something like price fixing comes forward and confesses the activity to regulators.

But what about the traders and small businesses who are in need of price fixing advice as a victim of it themselves?

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.

Epilepsy pill price hike of 1,300%

First published by Author on May 25, 2018 in the following categories: Price Hikes and tagged with price fixing

An epilepsy pill price hike of 1,300% has raised eyebrows given that the healthcare authorities have, in reality, had no choice but to accept the massive increase.

The US company at the centre of the price hike, Essential Phrama, claims that the monumental price hike is vital to “ensure the continued supply” of the epilepsy pill, but with such huge costs usually having to be borne on healthcare authorities and patients, questions must be asked.

In the UK, it’s common for such huge price hikes to be investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA); the competition watchdog whose job is to ensure fair competition that’s in the interests of consumers.