Turkish antitrust regulator launches probe into Teva for alleged patent manipulation and false claims about rivals

Turkish competition authorities have opened an investigation into Teva Pharmaceutical, the world’s largest generic drugmaker, accusing the company of manipulating the patent system and making misleading statements to health officials about the safety and effectiveness of rival medicines.

The Competition Board, known as Rekabet Kurumu, says Teva engaged in various practices that may have been intended to make it harder for competitors to enter the market. The regulator did not identify a specific drug in its announcement.

Teva responded by noting that the probe resembles a previous investigation by the European Commission, which two years ago ended with the company paying a $503 million fine for delaying competition to its blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone.