Turkey Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Israeli Pharma Company Teva

Turkish regulators have launched an investigation into Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva to determine if it violated the country's competition laws. The inquiry, initiated in August by Turkey's Competition Authority (Rekabet Kurumu), focuses on whether Teva hindered competitors from entering the market, potentially breaching antitrust regulations. The regulator has not disclosed the specific drug or treatment involved in the probe. Reports indicate the investigation examines Teva's patent practices and alleged misleading claims about the efficacy and safety of rival products, which may have harmed market competition.

Teva responded by stating the investigation relates to past antitrust issues concerning its drug Copaxone, similar to an ongoing case with the European Commission currently under appeal at the European Court. The company denied any wrongdoing and confirmed it will cooperate fully with Turkish authorities throughout the process.

This development comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Turkey, following an Israeli Air Force strike on a Syrian airport. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the operation was based on clear intelligence about Ankara's intentions to conduct activities there that could threaten Israel's security.