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 parties’ 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 surgeons’ 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 CMA’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)