The competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has continued to receive a large number of reports about pricing and selling practices related to rapid antigen tests.
ACCC boss Rod Sims this morning says investigations are under way into several potential consumer law breaches.
The ACCC has received nearly 3900 reports from consumers about rapid antigen tests between Christmas and Australia Day, averaging about 121 reports a day.
Pharmacies have been the worst offender – attracting 1309 complaints, or almost 34 per cent of reports – outstripping petrol stations (781 complaints, 20 per cent of reports) and convenience stores, tobacconists and supermarkets (764 complaints, almost 20 per cent).
However, since the middle of last month, pharmacy complaints were less than 25 per cent of total reports, as many more were received about smaller stores which would not usually sell such items.
More than 50 test suppliers, major retailers and pharmacy chains have now been asked by the ACCC to explain their costs, current pricing, and stock availability, and warned that they must be able to substantiate any claims made to consumers about the reasons for higher prices.
Further referrals have been made to both the Australian Federal Police and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
In addition, an investigation has commenced into claims by some suppliers that government entities may have diverted or sought priority supply of rapid antigen tests.
The average price of a test has been steady at about $24 since mid-January.