Anticompetitive practices: medical device sector under scrutiny

Yesterday 17:30

By: Sahili Aya

Anticompetitive practices: medical device sector under scrutiny

The medical device industry is facing heightened regulatory attention as authorities carry out unannounced inspections at the premises of several market operators.

In a statement released last Friday, the Competition Council announced that it had conducted surprise visits and seizures in coordination with the National Judicial Police Brigade, under the authorization of the Public Prosecutor. The operations are part of an ongoing investigation into potential anticompetitive practices in the distribution and commercialization of medical devices.

These inspections are grounded in existing laws governing price freedom and market competition, providing authorities with tools to collect evidence on-site related to violations such as price-fixing, market sharing, or failure to notify mergers and acquisitions—a practice often referred to as “gun jumping.”

The Competition Council emphasized that these actions do not imply any presumption of guilt. Only its deliberative bodies, after a thorough and fair investigation respecting the rights of the operators, will determine whether anticompetitive behavior has occurred.

The identities of the targeted companies and the specific practices under review have not been disclosed, in order to protect the rights and reputations of the entities involved. The inspections reportedly took place on February 17, 2026.

By launching these operations, the regulatory authority seeks to promote transparency and fairness in the medical device market—a sector where effective oversight is critical for both patient safety and the economic integrity of businesses. The move reinforces the council’s role as guardian of market order and a promoter of competition, ensuring that innovation and competitiveness take precedence over restrictive practices.