Hand sanitiser products: suspected excessive and unfair pricing

The CMA investigated suspected charging of excessive and unfair prices for hand sanitiser products during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic under Chapter II CA98.

Case reference: 50924

Case timetable

Date Action
September 2020 Decision to close the fourth investigation.
July 2020 Decision to close 3 of the investigations. The fourth investigation remains open.
June to July 2020 Initial investigation: information gathering including issue of formal or informal requests to parties. CMA analysis and review of information gathered.
June 2020 Investigation opened

Case information

Case closure statements

3 September 2020: The CMA decided to close the fourth investigation as it considers that the prices which the retailer is currently charging are unlikely to infringe competition law. Further details are set out in the CMA’s case closure statement.

13 July 2020: The CMA decided to close 3 of its investigations as it considers that the retailers’ prices do not, or are unlikely to, infringe competition law. Further details are set out in the CMA’s case closure statement.

The fourth investigation remained open.

Investigation

18 June 2020: The CMA launched 4 investigations under Chapter II of the CA98 into suspected breaches of competition law by four pharmacies and convenience stores. The investigations related to suspected charging of excessive and unfair prices for hand sanitiser products during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Published 19 June 2020
Last updated 3 September 2020 + show all updates
  1. The CMA has decided to close the fourth investigation. Case closure statement published.

  2. The CMA has decided to close 3 of its investigations as it considers that the retailers' prices do not, or are unlikely to, infringe competition law. Case closure statement published.

  3. First published.