Australia’s competition watchdog will ‘name and shame’ retailers which are selling rapid tests at exorbitant prices.
Australia’s competition regulator has announced a crackdown on retailers price gouging rapid antigen tests.
Rod Sims, chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, made the announcement on Tuesday, as the country continues to be plagued by a shortage of the tests.
While the lack of supply is a major issue, affordability is also a significant concern.
Last week, reports emerged that retailers were gouging the prices of the tests, with some kits costing more than $50 a pop – rendering them unaffordable to many Australians.
Mr Sims said on Tuesday that the ACCC was “on the case” and was monitoring it “very closely”.
“If we get a number of reports about excessive pricing from particular outlets, that’s when we can get involved and take whatever we judge to be the appropriate action,” he said.
“We’re gathering information as fast as we can.”
Mr Sims said while suppliers were generally able to set their own prices, businesses “must not make” false or misleading statements about the reason for high prices.
“We won’t be shy to name and shame suppliers and retailers we consider to be doing the wrong thing,” he said.
Originally published as ACCC ‘on the case’ of rapid antigen test price gouging
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