The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has imposed a fine totalling GEL 8,000 on LLC “Imermedi”-Imereti Regional Medical Centre (Terjolamedi) for failure to provide information requested by the Agency.

Pursuant to the Chairman’s order, the GCCA is conducting a monitoring initiative into the healthcare services market with a view to assessing the competitive environment. In the course of that monitoring initiative, and with a view to establishing the circumstances relevant to the case, GCCA requested information from the undertaking concerned. The undertaking failed to submit requested information within the deadline and did not cooperate with GCCA. The undertaking subsequently disregarded a repeated request issued by GCCA.

Having examined the matter, the Agency imposed fines on the undertaking on two separate occasions, in a total amount of GEL 8,000.

Under the applicable legislation, the GCCA is empowered, within the framework of ongoing administrative proceedings, to request from an undertaking such information including confidential information as is necessary for the proceedings, and to set a reasonable deadline for its submission. Failure to provide information or documentation requested by GCCA within the deadline set, and the provision of incorrect or incomplete information to the GCCA, shall be subject to a fine of GEL 3 000 in the case of legal entities and GEL 1 000 in the case of natural persons. The imposition of a fine shall not relieve the person concerned of the obligation to submit the requested information to GCCA.

Furthermore, failure to provide the information within a newly set deadline shall result in an additional fine of GEL 5 000 in the case of legal entities and GEL 3 000 in the case of natural persons.