Private ophthalmology: investigation into anti-competitive information exchange and pricing agreements
The CMA investigated a suspected breach of competition law related to the private ophthalmology sector, under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101 of the TFEU.
Case Reference: CE/9784-13
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 20 August 2015 | Publication of non-confidential version of infringement decision |
| 5 August 2015 | Final infringement decision issued to party |
| 14 July 2015 | Statement of objections issued to party |
| 10 July 2015 | Party agrees to settle investigation with CMA |
| April 2015 | Decision taken to continue with the investigation (further update by June 2015) |
| January to March 2015 | Further evidence gathering analysis and review |
| 9 December 2014 | Decision to proceed to the next phase of the investigation in light of evidence received to date |
| October to December 2014 | CMA analysis and review of evidence including parties바카라 사이트™ responses to information requests and witness evidence |
| July to October 2014 | Initial investigation: information gathering, receipt of responses to formal information requests and conducting witness interviews |
| July 2014 | Investigation opened |
Advice for private medical practitioners
3 December 2015: Advice for private medical practitioners on competition law compliance has been published by the CMA.
Non-confidential infringement decision
20 August 2015: The CMA has published a non-confidential version of the decision in this case.
- (PDF, 2.7Mb) (20.8.15)
Infringement decision
5 August 2015: The CMA has issued a decision finding that Consultant Eye Surgeons Partnership (CESP) Limited infringed competition law.
The CMA also imposed a fine on CESP Limited of £500,000, reduced to £382,500 following settlement and the adoption by CESP Limited of a comprehensive compliance programme.
- Press release: CMA confirms fine as it completes eye surgeons investigation (5.8.15)
Statement of objections
14 July 2015: The CMA issued a statement of objections to Consultant Eye Surgeons Partnership (CESP) Limited for its conduct in the privately funded ophthalmology sector.
- Press release: Eye surgeons바카라 사이트™ membership organisation fined £500,000 (14.7.15)
Case information
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This investigation is under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
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The CMA has not yet reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any of the parties under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
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As a result, it would not be appropriate at present to include any further estimates of the timing of any later investigative steps at this stage.
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If the CMA issues a statement of objections, it will provide the addressee(s) of that statement with an opportunity to make written and oral representations. More details are in the CMA바카라 사이트™s procedures in Competition Act 98 cases.
Contacts
Team Leader
Sue Aspinall (sue.aspinall@cma.gsi.gov.uk)
Project Director
James MacBeth (james.macbeth@cma.gsi.gov.uk)
Senior Responsible Officer
Ann Pope (ann.pope@cma.gsi.gov.uk)