The Competition Tribunal found that the medical services giant failed to announce a merger with Joint Medical Holdings. Spokesperson, Chantelle Benjamin, says this is the biggest fine ever handed down for a merger contravention.

Life Healthcare Group and Joint Medical Holdings were initially found guilty of price-fixing after the Competition Commission found that since 2004 the companies had set their prices jointly. This meant that all price negotiations, including tariffs to various medical schemes, were negotiated by Life Healthcare Group for both companies. The commission, however, agreed to drop this charge in exchange for the companies admitting to failing to notifying and implementing a merger.

Life Healthcare Group's communications manager, Tanya Bennets, said the group would comply with the terms of the consent agreement – which includes the payment of the fine – within three months of confirmation.

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