Promoting effective competition in the healthcare sector is essential to guaranteeing that patients have access to affordable, high-quality medical products and services. At the same time, healthcare markets are complex and influenced by a range of factors, including but not limited to market structure and information asymmetries, regulatory frameworks, financing and payment models, innovation as well as the critical nature of healthcare needs, all of which present significant challenges for competition authorities in carrying out their mission. These dynamics call for closer scrutiny from competition authorities with a view to identifying shared approaches and common solutions, particularly in jurisdictions where healthcare access remains unequal.
In December 2025, the OECD Global Forum on Competition examined the evolving role of competition authorities in shaping accessible healthcare markets, including how their work can extend beyond enforcement to advocacy and co-operation with other health regulators. It also explored potential risks across the pharmaceutical value chain, such as pricing strategies, intellectual property, and vertical integration while also considering broader concerns related to access, quality, and equity in healthcare systems.
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