The Preliminary Report prepared as part of the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry conducted by the Turkish Competition Authority with a view to assessing, from a holistic perspective, the competition concerns arising across the pharmaceutical sector’s value chain, extending from research and development and manufacturing to licensing, reimbursement, distribution, and the delivery of medicines to patients, was published on 10 August 2026.

Under the inquiry, the competitive structure of the pharmaceutical sector was examined by taking into account different stages and policy areas in conjunction. In that framework, the effects of patent rights as well as licensing and reimbursement processes on market entry were reviewed, and the impact of distribution level exclusivity practices and the sole authorized distributor model on intra-brand competition were evaluated. Furthermore, the importance of competitive procedures in public procurement of pharmaceuticals on the effective utilization of public resources was demonstrated, and possible improvements within the existing legal, administrative and financial framework were discussed. Actionable policy recommendations intended to strengthen competition in these areas were developed as a result of the inquiry.

A workshop will be held on September 21, 2026, to assess the findings, observations and policy recommendations set out in the Preliminary Report in conjunction with the views of stakeholders in the sector, to discuss different perspectives, and to contribute to the policy development process.

The Workshop will have a particular focus on the following subjects:

• Patent rights, intellectual property and regulatory mechanisms: Effects of patent processes, licensing and reimbursement mechanisms on market entry and competition; the balance between protecting intellectual property rights and protecting competition, and the approaches that could be adopted against anti-competitive use of regulatory mechanisms;
• Exclusivity in the distribution of pharmaceuticals and intra-brand competition: Effects of exclusivity practices and the sole authorized distributor model on intra-brand competition; approaches aimed at establishing a more competitive distribution structure in procurements by public and private hospitals;
• Competition in public pharmaceuticals procurement and potential improvements within the existing framework: Strengthening competitive processes in public procurements, impact of competition on the effective utilization of public resources, and possible improvements within the existing legal, administrative and financial framework.

The workshop aims to bring together public institutions, undertakings operating in the pharmaceutical sector, industry representatives, academics, and other stakeholders to facilitate the assessment of the findings and recommendations set out in the Preliminary Report from different perspectives and to contribute to strengthening competition, innovation, sustainability, and consumer welfare in the pharmaceutical sector.

Further details of the workshop program and the speakers will be announced separately.

Please click here for the pre-registration form for the Workshop.