"False impression": the Perm morgue and individual entrepreneurs were suspected of violating the law

The Perm OFAS initiated a case against the Clinical Pathological Bureau and an individual entrepreneur, who provides paid services for pre-burial preparations in the building of the institution. They were suspected of violating competition law.

During the audit, it was established that an entrepreneur engaged in organizing funerals and providing related services rents premises from the Clinical Pathological and Anatomy Bureau. At the same time, in fact, the tenant uses more space in his activities than indicated in the lease agreement. In addition, some employees of the bureau also work for the entrepreneur, using their official position. According to the press service of the Perm OFAS, employees provide individual entrepreneurs with preferential conditions for activity.

In addition, it was established that the employees of the institution transmit to the entrepreneur the lists of the deceased who were admitted to the pathoanatomical departments. At the same time, the tenant immediately offers paid pre-burial preparation services to the relatives of the deceased who apply to the pathoanatomical bureau for information.

“It is possible that the relatives of the deceased, who are in a stressful situation at the time of contacting the pathoanatomical bureau, get the false impression that paid services are provided by employees of a state institution. Citizens do not realize that the market for funeral services, including pre-burial preparations, is competitive, which means that there is an opportunity to choose acceptable prices and a range of services. The circumstances revealed during the inspection testify to the presence in the actions of the regional pathoanatomical bureau and the entrepreneur of signs of violation of the Law on Protection of Competition, ”explained Alexander Plaksin, HEAD of the Perm OFAS RUSSIA.

A case was initiated against GBUZ PC "Clinical Pathological Bureau" and an individual entrepreneur on the grounds of violation of Articles 16 and 17.1 of the Law on Protection of Competition. The hearing of the case is scheduled for November 23, 2021.