Late payment of hospital debts continues to haunt the Turkish medtech industry, which recently led a public demonstration in Ankara to focus the government’s attention on the issue. Medtech multinationals fear that the ongoing problems will mean Turkey losing the positive momentum it achieved during the pandemic.

Alignment with the MDR gave Turkish medtech access to the EU market, but in domestic pricing, costs, reimbursement and payment of hospital debts, industry might feel it is barely at the starting line.

The pandemic has exacerbated the problems of the Turkish medical device industry, which was already struggling for survival and growth in a hostile policy environment. Local blood bag manufacturer Kansuk Laboratory talked to Medtech Insight about the difficulties it faces.