The Health Funders Association, along with 36 medical schemes, has threatened legal action against three major laboratories, accusing them of overcharging for PCR tests during the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a hearing in Pretoria, the group called on the Competition Tribunal to declare Ampath, PathCare, and Lancet laboratories guilty of engaging in prohibited practices under the Competition Act. The applicants argue that the laboratories charged excessively for the tests, exploiting the pandemic to inflate prices.
Before pursuing claims for damages in the High Court, the applicants are seeking a declaratory order from the Tribunal. The three laboratories involved—Ampath, PathCare, and Lancet—have opposed the application.
The Tribunal's hearing regarding the matter will continue on Thursday.