The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has launched formal proceedings against IQVIA to investigate a possible abuse of dominant position in the pharmaceutical data collection and processing sector. The decision follows a complaint and a preliminary inquiry that identified serious indications of potential infringements of competition rules.
IQVIA, a global provider of technological solutions and data analysis for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, supports clients in the development and commercialization of their products. In Belgium, the sector is highly concentrated, prompting close regulatory scrutiny.
Following an initial assessment of the information provided by the complainant and requests for data from various sector participants, the Prosecutor General concluded that there were substantial indications of possible violations of rules prohibiting abuses of a dominant position, under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article IV.2 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (CEL). As a result, a formal investigation has been initiated pursuant to Article IV.39, 2° CEL.
The practices under review relate to contractual arrangements within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, which has been a strategic priority for the BCA in recent years.
The opening of the investigation does not prejudge the outcome. IQVIA will be fully involved in the proceedings, and the Authority will continue its inquiry in accordance with established legal procedures.