Türkiye put a new implementing communiqué for medicine pricing into force on 29 August 2026, replacing the 2017 text. It explains how authorities identify reference prices, convert them into lira and process company applications. The document matters to patients, pharmacies and pharmaceutical businesses, but it is not itself a notice that every medicine has become more expensive. It announces neither a new medicine-pricing euro value nor one universal percentage increase for pharmacy shelves.
Five EU countries remain the main price references
France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece are listed as reference countries. The rules also allow the country of batch release or import to be considered in specified circumstances. For multiple eligible reference products, the lowest qualifying real source price is generally used. This is a regulatory benchmark for setting a Turkish price, not a promise that the same retail price will appear in each country.
How the medicine-pricing euro value is set
The lira value of one euro used in medicine pricing is calculated from the previous year's average official Central Bank euro selling rates and an adjustment coefficient set under the governing presidential decision. The Price Evaluation Commission is to meet within the first 45 days of each year to announce the period value. That regulated value is different from the live euro rate displayed by a bank or exchange office.
Five days for an increase, 45 days for a decrease
When a newly announced medicine-pricing euro value is higher than the previous period value, the change takes effect five days after the commission decision is announced. If it is lower, the communiqué provides a 45-day interval. Those timing rules apply when a new value is actually announced; the 29 August communiqué does not itself state such a new value.
The commission can make product-specific decisions
The commission may assess increases, reductions or reversals for particular products and can also decide broader increases. It may use differentiated models for medicines subject to alternative reimbursement arrangements or products outside reimbursement. A legal power to make a decision should not be reported as proof that a decision has already been made for every medicine.
What residents and travellers should check
If a familiar medicine appears to cost more or becomes difficult to find, compare the exact active ingredient, strength, pharmaceutical form and pack size rather than only the brand name. Ask the pharmacy for the current registered price and a receipt. Reimbursement, prescription validity and medicine availability are separate questions; this communiqué does not grant foreign insurance coverage or guarantee that a foreign prescription can be filled.
Turkey Compass fact-check
Confirmed: the 2017 implementing communiqué has been replaced, the reference-price and application system has been restated, and the new text took effect on 29 August. Not confirmed: an automatic general pharmacy price rise on that date, a newly announced pricing-euro amount or an identical change for every product. Consumers should rely on the current official price list and the exact medicine dispensed.