Inquiries begin at pharmacies, stores for price hikes

The Kosovo Competition Authority has launched investigations into all of the businesses and pharmaceutical companies for price hikes, following the situation created by coronarys.

The chairman of this institution, Valon Prestreshi, said that under the investigation, they will see whether there is agreement between businesses and suppliers for price hikes.

He firmly stated that along with the fifteen inspectors, he will engage in preventing these violations.

“Autority as an independent institution in performing its tasks is committed to preventing any possible breach of competition in the entire territory of Kosovo. From what we've seen in the media and analysis on the ground, we've seen a huge influx of people addressing large food sales stores. For this reason the authority wants to ensure that trade operators do not misuse the situation created to benefit from the citizens”, he said.

Prestreshi said that following the assessment of all facts, all decisions on fines will be taken.

“announced that investigative inspectors of the Competition Authority will be mobilised from today to conduct investigations into this case filed by citizens and the media. During this phase the authority will gather detailed data from market operators and competent institutions such as customs, ATK and others before a decision is made to initiate the investigative procedure. The authority will assess the facts of violations of the law on protection of competition by conducting anticompetitive behaviour that would make the authority to make decisions tailored to the situation”, he said.

The chairman of the Competition Authority said they suspect there are agreements to raise business prices.

We will see why the company that sells this product in large or retail has raised this price. Is there a deal with the supplier, or has he told the supplier to make a deal to raise the price at this value and use it? If investigations arise and so result, it is prohibited”, he said.

In recent days citizens have managed to buy food products after the global coronary pandemic is declared, although there is no chance in Kosovo. This has led some businesses to raise product prices.