Business & Finance
Turkish antitrust authorities investigate Teva over patent practices and rival drug claims
Turkey's Competition Board is probing allegations that Teva manipulated the patent system and disparaged competing medicines to delay market entry.
The short version
- Turkish antitrust regulator Rekabet Kurumu has launched an investigation into Teva Pharmaceutical.
- The probe centers on allegations that Teva manipulated patents and made misleading claims to health authorities regarding the safety and efficacy of competitor drugs.
- Teva noted the inquiry resembles a previous European Commission investigation involving its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, which resulted in a $503 million fine currently under appeal.
Key facts
- Turkey's Competition Board, Rekabet Kurumu, opened an antitrust investigation into Teva Pharmaceutical.[STAT]
- The investigation examines whether Teva engaged in practices designed to obstruct competitor market entry by manipulating patent processes and disparaging rival medications to health authorities.[STAT]
- A Teva spokesperson stated that the Turkish probe mirrors an earlier European Commission investigation into the company's multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, which led to a $503 million fine that Teva is appealing.[STAT]
What remains uncertain
- The Turkish Competition Board has not publicly identified which specific pharmaceutical product or drug is the subject of the investigation.[STAT]