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U.K. Competition and Markets Authority Review of COVID-19 Testing Companies Overview:
- Who: The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority has announced it will look into whether companies offering COVID-19 testing are breaking consumer laws and provide advice and intelligence to Health Secretary Sajid Javid in the next month.
- Why: The news comes amid concerns that companies offering COVID-19 testing are overcharging U.K. consumers and possibly violating laws.
- Where: The CMA will review providers of PCR tests all over the United Kingdom.
As concerns continue to mount over companies offering COVID-19 testing allegedly ripping off U.K. consumers and possibly breaching consumer laws, the U.K. competition watchdog has stepped in to help the government.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would provide advice and intelligence on the PCR testing market to Health Secretary Sajid Javid within the next month, giving the government the information to act, The Guardian reported.
The CMA said it was also looking into possible short term solutions led by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
In a statement, the CMA said it was looking into whether any individual providers were breaking consumer laws and needed to have action taken against them; if any structural problems in the market were affecting price and reliability; and if there was any immediate action the government could take, according to The Guardian.
Rather than conduct a formal investigation that could lead to criminal action, the agency said it was doing a rapid review to speed up the process – especially given PCR tests are needed for people to travel to and from some holiday destinations.
CMA’s Senior Director of Consumer Protection George Lusty said it was “a particularly pressing issue” for families hoping to enjoy a 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.”
He added that it was essential that people paying for PCR tests were treated fairly, got what they paid for and that their rights were respected when things go wrong. “We will not hesitate to take enforcement action if we find evidence that PCR providers are breaching consumer law.”
The UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) has certified just 6 percent of the private COVID-19 testing centres listed on official government websites, according to a report by the agency.
Those traveling from “amber” places, such as Italy and Spain are required to obtain multiple tests upon arrival and several days after. Even the vaccinated and travelers from “green” zone countries must take at least one PCR COVID-19 test; however, the lack of accredited COVID-19 testing centres is leaving travelers in a bind.
Travellers who have returned to England are required to take COVID-19 tests on days two and eight of their return, and those tests can cost more than £300 or as little as £20, The Guardian reports. On average, prices in the UK are £75 for a single test, compared with about £40 in France and Greece.
The Advertising Standards Authority is also investigating the situation after receiving complaints from consumers about the tests being subject to “inconsistent pricing” on the government’s website, according to The Guardian.
There is growing political pressure to address the situation; MPs have called on the government to cap COVID test prices at £40 and some, including Henry Smith, have said that the government should scrap them for travellers returning from “low-risk” countries.
Huw Merriman, the head of the transport select committee, wrote a letter to Javid urging the government to give serious consideration to more affordable options, including lateral flow tests. Heathrow airport has also called on the government to allow people to use cheaper lateral flow tests instead of PCR tests.
Have you had any issues getting a PCR when travelling in or out of the country? Tell us your experience in the comments section!
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