“Workshop on Competition in the Pharmaceutical Sector” was hosted by the Competition Authority on 21 September 2026 in Ankara to address recent developments concerning the effective functioning in the pharmaceutical sector, the challenges encountered in the sector and proposed solutions.

The Workshop commenced with the opening remarks delivered by the President of the Competition Authority Mr. Birol Küle and addressed the factors that affect competition in the pharmaceutical sector at production, market entry, distribution and retail stages.

Within the framework of the three-session program,

• Key findings and assessments under the scope of the Preliminary Report on the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry were shared.
• The future of competition and regulation in the pharmaceutical sector was discussed with the participation of the representatives of public institutions.
• The views of private sector and other sector stakeholders were taken and                                                             the balance between competition, investment, innovation and access to pharmaceuticals was addressed.

The Workshop, where current competition issues such as the relationship between patent and competition, market entry conditions, exclusivity practices in pharmaceutical distribution, competition in the public procurement of pharmaceuticals, reimbursement system and public institutions discount were also discussed, provided a comprehensive exchange of views among representatives from public institutions, academia and the sector.

The Workshop contributed to the discussion of current issues regarding the effective functioning of competition in the pharmaceutical sector and the assessment of proposed solutions with the contributions of various stakeholders.