Two Cape Town companies are among four firms across the country that have settled complaints of excessive pricing with the Competition Commission at the Competition Tribunal. A Cape Argus report says the four separate cases related to alleged excessive pricing of hand sanitisers and face masks.
The two Cape Town firms are Merlot Pharmacy and Seaside Pharmacy based in Table View. In Merlot Pharmacy’s consent agreement with the commission, the pharmacy has undertaken to donate an amount of R16,832 to the Solidarity Fund; and reduce its gross profit margin on facial masks and hand sanitisers to an agreed maximum with immediate effect for the duration of the state of national disaster.
Seaside Pharmacy agreed to donate R4,168 to the Solidarity Fund, to immediately reduce its gross profit margin on face masks and hand sanitisers to an agreed maximum for the duration of the State of Disaster.
The other two companies involved in the settlements are Domoney Brothers in Bloemfontein, a supplier that on-sells face masks to customers, and Naturally Yours Weleda Pharmacies, which operates in the Bryanston and Fourways areas of Johannesburg.
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