Competition body launches retail pharmacy sector study after 'consumer complaints'

It said when assessing the sector, it will seek to understand areas such as price transparency and consumer switching. regulatory frameworks, and competition and market developments.

The competition authority has launched a market study into the retail pharmacy sector in Ireland after determining a number of areas that require “closer examination” based on “consumer complaints, preliminary research and market developments”.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said when assessing the sector, it will seek to understand areas such as price transparency and consumer switching. regulatory frameworks, and competition and market developments.

“The CCPC has identified areas of the retail market that merit closer examination based on consumer complaints, preliminary research and market developments,” the commission said in a statement.

The study will also make recommendations about ways to improve competition and consumer outcomes.

The study will focus on the supply of prescription and over-the-counter products to consumers. It may also consider the services pharmacies provide such as consultations and vaccinations, depending on the information received.

CCPC member Geoffrey Gray said retail pharmacies play an “important role in supplying consumers with essential medicines and services”, so it’s “vital that the market is working and delivering for consumers”.

“That’s why we want to hear from consumers, pharmacy owners, pharmacists, public bodies, regulators, representative groups and others with views and experiences of this market.” 

The CCPC has published a Statement of Scope which outlines how the CCPC intends to conduct the market study and its areas of focus. It also lists questions for stakeholders, and the CCPC is inviting stakeholders to send their responses to the CCPC by July 9.