At last, PCR test firms face inquiry over failures

‘We stand ready to take action’

OnE of the biggest Covid PCR testing companies is under investigation by the competition watchdog after a series of customer complaints.

Expert Medicals faces allegations that tests and results were not provided in a timely manner, or at all in some cases, and bosses failed to respond to complaints and refunds were not issued, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The watchdog also revealed it has written to a further 19 testing firms telling them they must stop advertising misleading prices or face legal action under consumer protection laws. CMA officials revealed Expert Medicals has been the subject of a high number of complaints to Citizens Advice and themselves, and has been removed from the Government list of testing providers.

Those on the list must selfdeclare that they meet the Government’s minimum standards for Covid-19 testing. Last week ministers said they would be advising 82 companies they face being removed from the list if they advertise misleading prices.

Andrea Coscelli, CMA chief executive, said: ‘If we find that firms have been misleading customers and failing to provide the service that people have paid for, we stand ready to take action.’

The CMA sent an open letter to PCR test providers last week warning that a range of harmful practices, such as not advertising additional charges in upfront costs, could breach consumer protection law.