CMA to investigate travel PCR test companies over alleged pricing misconduct
pharmafile | August 13, 2021 | News story | Medical Communications |
Britain’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has announced that it will help the government take action against COVID testing companies if any laws are found to have been breached, amid concerns raised over reliability and pricing of travel PCR tests.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid wrote to the CMA asking for an investigation to be launched into the market for PCR tests to ensure customers did not face unnecessarily high costs or any other poor provision.
In a statement on Thursday the CMA said they would be investigating the PCR market for any structural issues, individual PCR providers to see if they are breaching their obligations under consumer law, and also examine if there is any immediate action the government could take in the meantime.
George Lusty, CMA Senior Director for Consumer Protection, said: “This is a particularly pressing issue just now for families hoping to enjoy a well-earned holiday after such a difficult year, and for those reuniting with friends and relatives overseas.
“That is why we are also providing ongoing support to DHSC, including on steps that could be considered in the interim, before the rest of our work on the PCR testing market is concluded.
“We are also working closely with DHSC (Health Department) to get the data we need to identify the cause of any wider problems in the PCR testing market, and to ground our advice on what action may be needed.”
The CMA has opted for a rapid review because a formal investigation, which could lead to criminal action, would take months to complete, so that its impact would come long after the key holiday season.
Currently the UK operates a traffic light system for international travel with low-risk countries rated green for quarantine-free travel, medium risk countries rated amber, and red countries requiring arrivals to spend 10 days in isolation in a hotel.
People coming to England from green and amber-list destinations must take at least one PCR test, which can be priced from £20 to £600, to avoid fines of up to £2,000.
A group of MPs have also called on the government to cap COVID test prices at £40. Henry Smith, the Tory chairman of the all-party future of aviation group, said the government should also scrap them for holidaymakers returning from “low-risk” countries.
The CMA said at the weekend it would provide advice and intelligence on the market in PCR tests within the next month to the health secretary, Sajid Javid, to enable the government to act.
Kat Jenkins
