Belgian Competition Watchdog Probes IQVIA Over Possible Abuse of Dominance

Key Takeaways

• Abuse-of-dominance inquiry initiated: Belgian Competition Authority opens a formal investigation into IQVIA on 9 December 2025.
• Data market under scrutiny: Case centers on pharmaceutical data collection and analytics in Belgium’s highly concentrated market.
• Possible EU and national law breaches: Authorities cite potential infringements under Article 102 TFEU and Article IV.2 of the Code of Economic Law.

Deep Dive

Belgium’s top competition regulator has launched a formal investigation into data giant IQVIA over concerns the company may be unfairly leveraging its powerful position in the country’s pharmaceutical information market.

IQVIA plays a major role in Belgium’s highly concentrated market for pharmaceutical data collection and processing. That influential position is now at the center of regulatory scrutiny. According to the BCA, its initial probe included requests for information to several sector players, which led the Authority’s Prosecutor General to suspect possible breaches of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article IV.2 of Belgium’s Code of Economic Law—both targeting abuse of dominance.

The pharmaceutical and healthcare sector has been a longstanding enforcement priority for the Authority, reflecting its critical role in patient access, innovation, and pricing transparency.

However, officials stressed the investigation remains at an early stage and carries no presumption of wrongdoing. IQVIA, they noted, will be fully involved in the proceedings and afforded its legal rights throughout the process.

For now, the BCA’s move signals growing attention on competition risks associated with control over data, especially in markets where a few companies hold the keys to industry-wide insights.

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