Attempt #3: Kyivstar doesn’t give up in its quest to buy Tabletki.ua
24 July 2025 13:06
Mobile operator Kyivstar has once again applied to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) with an application to acquire MTPK LLC, which owns the Tabletki.ua drug delivery service. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Forbes.
The regulator has previously rejected similar applications from the telecommunications company twice. The first application was filed in November 2024, but the AMCU returned it due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements. The second attempt in February 2025 was also rejected.
According to Forbes, the main reason for the rejections was the disagreement between the regulator and Kyivstar on the market size. The committee is concerned that the combination of the Helsi medical service (98% owned by the operator) with the Tabletki.ua platform could create a monopoly in the online drug ordering market.
The value of the potential deal, according to preliminary estimates, could reach $48 million.
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Tabletki.ua and Kyivstar
Tabletki.ua is one of the most popular platforms in Ukraine for searching for medicines by name or active ingredient, comparing prices in different pharmacies and placing pre-orders. It is used by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians every day to obtain objective information about the availability and cost of medicines.
The acquisition of such a resource by a telecom company could open up new channels for commercializing medical data or generating consumer demand, which is what the regulator is concerned about.
First, this is a market with a sensitive social component, where information transparency and competition are of paramount importance. Secondly, the merger of a telecom giant with a platform that accumulates large amounts of data on the demand for medicines may create new challenges in the field of cybersecurity and personal information protection.
Experts suggest that the AMCU may require Kyivstar to provide additional guarantees, including maintaining the independence of Tabletki.ua’s editorial policy, preventing bias in favor of specific pharmaceutical manufacturers or pharmacy chains, and clearly delineating databases.
“Kyivstar continues its strategic expansion
One of Ukraine’s telecom operators is consistently transforming from a classic telecom company into a full-fledged player in the digital services ecosystem. In 2023-2025, the company initiated a series of M&A deals in various areas, expanding its influence far beyond mobile communications.
Uklon enters the urban mobility market
In April 2025, Kyivstar officially completed one of the largest transactions in its history – the acquisition of 97% of Uklon’s corporate rights. The transaction amounted to $155.2 million. This allowed Kyivstar not only to diversify its business but also to strengthen its position in the digital mobility sector. Uklon, for its part, retains its autonomy and continues to develop under the leadership of its current CEO Sergey Grishkov, with a focus on the Ukrainian and foreign markets.
“Frinet strengthens its position in the fixed-line Internet market
In February 2025, Kyivstar also finalized the acquisition of the internet provider Frinet. This acquisition allowed the company to expand its home Internet coverage, especially in regions where there is an increased demand for stable communication during the war. Thanks to this merger, users now have more flexible service packages, including mobile, fixed-line internet and TV.
Zagoriy Foundation is not only a business but also a social responsibility
Not leaving aside social initiatives, in March 2025 Kyivstar announced the acquisition of the Zagoriy Foundation, a charity foundation known for its activities in the field of culture, education and support of volunteer initiatives. This was a signal of the company’s desire to deepen its impact in the field of sustainable development.
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