The Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) has imposed an administrative fine on the Turkish Pharmacists' Association (“Türk Eczacıları Birliği” or “TEB”) for failing to submit the requested information in time.
The Competition Authority has initiated a preliminary investigation against the Turkish Pharmacists Association and has requested information and documents. On 05.07.2019, the deadline to submit the requested information, TEB notified the Authority that the TEB Central Committee was assessing the request. Subsequently, the information and documents requested was delivered to the Authority on 26.07.2019.
In accordance with The Act on The Protection of Competition (“Act no. 4054”), undertakings must transmit the information and documents requested by the Authority within the specified period. Pursuant Article 16 of the Act, an administrative fine shall be imposed if missing, incorrect or misleading information is provided or if information and documents are not communicated to the Authority within the given period.
As a result, due to TEB's failure to afford the demand for information and documents in the requested time, The Competition Board has decided:
- To impose an administrative fine of 26.027 TL (lower bound) under the Act No.4054 Article 16 paragraph 1 subsection (c),
- Calculated over 20 days to impose a periodic administrative fine under the Act No.4054 Article 17 paragraph 1 subsection (c).
(TCA Decision – 07.11.2019, 19-38/582-248)