Santa Farma Expands Its Product Portfolio
Santa Farma, Turkey's long-established domestic pharmaceutical company with 75 years of history and strong market presence, has expanded its pharmaceutical expertise into the over-the-counter (OTC) market for dietary supplements and non-medicinal products.
Operating across 11 distinct therapeutic categories—including dermatology, digestive system and metabolism, gastroenterology and infection, and hematology—and within 45 sub-markets under these categories with a total of 63 products, Santa Farma has now entered the over-the-counter (OTC) market for dietary supplements and non-medicinal products.
Since its founding, Santa Farma has grown with the mission of providing quality health services, and ranks among Turkey's most established and strongest domestic pharmaceutical companies. The company aims to secure a competitive position in the OTC product market comparable to its standing in pharmaceuticals.
"An Important Step in Our Growth Journey"
Speaking on the matter, Santa Farma Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Erol Kiresepi stated that the company has taken an important step in its growth journey. "As the Santa Farma family, our mission is to provide quality health services. Throughout our 75-year history since establishment, pharmaceuticals have been our core focus, with all our objectives and investments directed to this sector. Now, while further strengthening our pharmaceutical expertise, we are entering this market under the Santa Farma OTC brand in line with our mission. With our new production and research and development facilities and the transformation we have undergone in recent times, the establishment of the Santa Farma OTC Division and the new products and different business models we will bring to market will certainly strengthen our position. With our 75 years of experience, the trust placed in us by doctors and pharmacists, the Santa Farma quality we deliver in service to medicine, and our successful Santa Farma workforce, we are prepared to conduct business successfully in the OTC sector as well," he said.
"OTC Definition Will Become Clearer in the Coming Period"
Pointing out that the definition of OTC products has not yet been clearly established by Turkish health authorities, Kiresepi offered the following assessment: "Although these products do not have formal regulations, they can be briefly described as products that can be obtained from pharmacies without prescription. We observe that these dietary supplements or non-medicinal products are being promoted through various media channels. In many countries worldwide, OTC product definitions are clearer and these products are classified as medicines that patients can use for self-treatment. OTC products thus enable doctors to use their clinic time more effectively. We anticipate that in the coming years, Turkey will clarify these definitions and implement similar practices."
