The competition watchdog has warned PCR COVID test providers that they risk enforcement action over misleading advertising and failing to deliver results on time.
In an open letter to providers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said a range of harmful practices, such as upfront prices that do not include additional charges and failing to deliver results within stated timescales, could breach consumer protection law.
The “practices of concern” include advertising upfront prices for tests that do not include additional charges that everyone must pay, and advertising cheap PCR tests which are only actually available in very small quantities or are not available at all.
The CMA also warns providers against failing to deliver PCR tests or provide results within stated timescales, or at all, or refusing to provide consumers with refunds where tests are not provided on time.
Today we’ve sent an open letter to #PCRtest providers warning that a range of harmful practices could breach consumer protection law: https://t.co/keJXpDK7Qe
The types of conduct we’ve identified so far include… pic.twitter.com/dHaw17zZ4Z
The CMA’s letter tells providers that if they mislead customers or treat them unfairly they could also face enforcement action from the CMA or Trading Standards.
It instructs them to “immediately review their practices and policies to make sure they are in line with the requirements of consumer law and to make any changes where necessary.”
CMA general counsel Sarah Cardell said: “PCR test providers should be in no doubt that they need to get on the right side of the law. If they don’t, they risk enforcement action.
“Our advice today will also help people by setting out exactly what they should expect for their money.
“This warning goes hand in hand with action taken by government this week, and is the latest step in our work to tackle rip-off prices and bad service.
“We continue to work closely with [the Department of Health and Social Care] DHSC in reviewing this market and will be providing further advice to DHSC on action that can be taken.”
