Exclusive: U.S. prosecutors add China bribe allegations to GSK probe

[BlueToTheBone]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/06/us-gsk-bribery-doj-idUSBRE98511R20130906

snip
The investigation is part of a wider probe of drugmakers' sales practices in China, said one of the sources, adding that the Department of Justice has expanded a probe into GSK's business practices in other countries to include the Chinese bribery allegations.

A company spokesman on Friday confirmed the new line of inquiry in response to questions from Reuters.

"Since the investigation in China began, we have proactively reached out to relevant regulators. This includes the DOJ, and we have been in an ongoing dialogue with them," said David Mawdsley, a spokesman for GSK in London.

Chinese police said in July they had detained four Chinese executives at GSK on allegations the executives funneled up to 3 billion yuan ($489.92 million) to travel agencies to facilitate bribes to doctors to boost the sale of its medicines.

The U.S. Justice Department's probe is focusing on whether GSK and other drugmakers violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids U.S. companies from engaging in bribery while doing business abroad.

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