Türkiye’s Update: Key Changes in Named Patient Program
Pharmaceuticals that are not authorized in Türkiye or authorized but not available on the market shall be procured from abroad as per a special authorization and on a case by case basis (Named Patient Program-NPP). This supply can be conducted by public institutions approved by the Ministry ofHealth that are defined as Foreign Pharmaceutical Suppliers (Suppliers) and currently constitute theSocial Security Institution and the Turkish Pharmacists Association. The Suppliers can… »
Advertisement Board’s Power to Block Access was Annulled
The Turkish Constitutional Court (“Court”) annulled paragraph 12 of Article 77 of the Consumer Protection Law, which granted the Advertisement Board the power to partially or entirely block access to websites containing unlawful advertising content. The relevant rule was considered to be unconstitutional pursuant to the Court’s decision dated 13 September 2023 and numbered 2022/70 E. - 2023/152 K. In its decision, the Court ruled that the scrutinized legal rules do not meet… »
Discount Sale Ads and Loyalty Programs Under the Microscope
The Advertisement Board ("Board") closely monitors the discount sales campaigns, which have become a tradition in e-commerce, held in November and known as "Legendary November Discounts", "Fabulous Friday Discounts", where discounts at various rates are announced for a large number of products. The Board imposes administrative sanctions on discount sales advertisements and practices that deceive and mislead consumers and create the perception that there is a higher price… »
Alcoholic Beverage Advertisements through Alibi Branding
Brand communication of alcoholic products to consumers is strictly prohibited in Türkiye and there is full prohibition of advertisement of alcohol, any manner in all forms of media. This ban includes broadcasts on TV and radio, advertisements in cinema, product placement, printed media, as well as advertisements on social media and digital platforms. Alibi branding is an alternative mechanism for promotion of alcohol brands and in fact, this is a grey area. Although there is… »
Dark Patterns on the Advertisement Board's Agenda
Unfair commercial practices, also known as the "dark patterns", have entered the agenda of the Advertisement Board. Dark patterns may in fact be considered as unfair commercial practices regulated under the Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices ("Regulation"). Pursuant to the Regulation, a consumer-oriented commercial practice is deemed to be unfair if it does not comply with the requirements of professional care and if it significantly impairs… »
First Legal Regulation for Artificial Intelligence Systems: AI Act
Artificial intelligence, which has become one of the most important components of modern technology, has rapidly transformed our interaction with technology, seamlessly integrating into various areas of our daily routines. AI technologies, offering significant advancements and innovative solutions in fields such as medicine, finance, transportation, education and many others, have also brought with sensitivities towards critical issues such as ethics, security and privacy.… »