Market Intelligence

The Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) has published the Preliminary Report on the Pharmaceutical Sector Review (the “Report”) in August 2026, following a sector inquiry initiated by the TCA on 8 December 2021. The inquiry was launched to identify structural competition concerns in the pharmaceutical sector and develop solutions capable of strengthening competitive conditions and, ultimately, consumer welfare.

The third quarter of 2026 was marked by significant regulatory and enforcement activity from the Turkish Competition Authority ("TCA"), with pharmaceutical sector policy taking centre stage following the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry Preliminary Report and a subsequent stakeholder workshop.

The Turkish Competition Board (“TCB”) has published four settlement decisions concerning a hub-and-spoke cartel involving plant-based drinks supplier Nilky and competing retailers BİM, Migros and Şok. The TCB found that Nilky acted as the hub by facilitating the indirect exchange of future retail prices and the timing of price increases between the three retailers.

On 3 September 2026, the European Commission (“Commission”) adopted new guidelines on exclusionary abuses by dominant companies, replacing its 2008 Guidance on enforcement priorities. The guidelines aim to modernise the Commission’s approach, provide greater legal certainty and promote more consistent enforcement across the EU.

The Turkish Competition Authority ("TCA") recently published its reasoned decision concerning the acquisition of Kars Çimento Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ ("Kars Çimento") by Arsem Madencilik Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ ("Arsem").

Following the publication of the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry Preliminary Report on 10 August 2026, the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) held a stakeholder workshop on 21 September 2026 to assess the preliminary findings, observations, and policy recommendations set out in the report. The workshop brought together public institutions, undertakings operating in the pharmaceutical sector, industry representatives, academics, and other stakeholders to evaluate the preliminary findings from different perspectives.