Turkey probes Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva over claims it blocked rivals in drug market

Turkey's Competition Authority has launched an investigation into Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva, suspecting violations of local laws by hindering rivals in the drug market. The probe, initiated after a preliminary investigation, examines whether Teva restricted competition in generic drugs, potentially through strategic patent procedures and by creating a "misleading" impression on health authorities regarding product efficacy and safety. The investigation targets Teva International, Teva Europe, and its Turkish subsidiary, focusing on actions that may have prevented competitors from market entry, such as manipulating patent applications for production methods and dosages. Teva stated, "The Turkish Competition Authority's investigation concerns a past antitrust issue related to the drug Copaxone, similar to the process being conducted by the European Commission, which is currently under appeal before the European Court of Justice, and in which Teva rejects any claim of misconduct on its part." This investigation does not currently involve sanctions against Teva, which remains one of the few Israeli companies operating in Turkey amid trade embargoes.