Tag: market abuse

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.

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.

Most favoured nation clause competition law investigation

First published by Author on November 09, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Market Dominance Abuse and tagged with cma | market abuse | pricing

There’s been an update in an ongoing most favoured nation clause competition law investigation being conducted by the CMA.

The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has an open investigation looking into whether there’s been a breach of competition law. This case surrounds the use of a ‘most favoured nation clause’ used by a price comparison website in the home insurance market.

The companies being investigated for alleged breaches of competition law include BGL (Holdings) Limited; BGL Group Limited; BISL Limited (BISL); and Compare The Market Limited.

Victory in Ping competition appeal tribunal

First published by Author on November 02, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest Selling Restrictions and tagged with cma | competition law | market abuse

The CMA’s previous competition infringement decision has been upheld at the Ping competition appeal tribunal.

The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) had previously established a breach finding against Ping Europe Limited. Ping had banned the sale of its golf clubs online which had triggered an investigation by the CMA.

Having assessed the issue, the CMA found that Ping was in breach of competition law by stopping two UK retailers from selling their golf clubs online. The Ping competition appeal tribunal has now upheld the original finding of the breach as well.

Royal Mail competition fine

First published by Author on October 05, 2018 in the following categories: Market Dominance Abuse Pricing and tagged with competition law | market abuse | pricing

A Royal Mail competition fine has been issued in the sum of £50m by the UK communications regulator for abuse of a dominant market position.

Regulators Ofcom accused the Royal Mail of penalising wholesale customers over bulk mail deliveries for things like council tax demands and bank statements. They were fined for discriminating against a rival, Whistl, who were subject to contractual changes back in 2014.

These changes included price increases that led to Whistl scrapping expansion plans that cost the business millions of pounds.

Commitments in the Showmen’s Guild competition case

First published by Author on August 25, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | market abuse

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) accepted commitments made after the Showmen’s Guild competition case, with a link to rules of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain 2018 published last month.

The case itself surrounded the use of rules issued by the Showmen’s Guild that reduced the ability of new attractions to join fairs, thus limiting competition. Potentially millions of funfair visitors could be affected by the issue, resulting in a stifling of competition and deprived access to new and improved rides and attractions with motivation for invocation in the sector potentially low.

With members of the Showmen’s Guild making up for some 90% of the sector in the UK, and worth an estimated £100m a year, any competition issue in the sector could clearly have a huge impact on the consumers.

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.

Google competition breach yields massive fine

First published by Author on July 20, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Latest and tagged with cma | market abuse

A Google competition breach has yielded a massive fine imposed by the European Commission over its behaviour surrounding Android phones.

The fine amounts to £3.9bn ($5bn) and is based on Google’s search-related revenue earned during the period the competition breach is said to have taken place.

The investigations into the Google competition breach stem back to 2015 and surround impositions of pre-installed browsers and search apps that it’s claimed has led to users not looking for alternatives, with Google paying huge sums to manufacturers to pre-install its own software.