In the news: Sanofi under investigation, Singapore upholds PRC judgment and automaker probe

August 15, 2013 | BY

clpstaff &clp articles

French drug maker Sanofi is being investigated for bribery, the Singapore High Court has upheld a judgment from a Chinese court for $190,000 and the China Automobile Association has begun a probe into the pricing of foreign car makers

Sanofi prepares for bribery investigation

French drug maker Sanofi has become the next target in China's crackdown against bribery. Sanofi staff paid bribes totalling Rmb1.7 million ($278000) to 503 doctors at 97 hospitals in Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Guangzhou in 2007, according to an anonymous whistleblower speaking to the 21st Century Business Herald. Xinhua has cited a health bureau official saying disciplinary authorities and the Beijing municipal health bureau are investigating the French company.

Source: Reuters

It has taken less than a month for the Chinese authorities to investigate another drug maker for bribery. GlaxoSmithKline and now the Sanofi investigation show that the government is hoping to tackle rising drug prices, the authorities are expected to push for stricter price controls. The investigations also show that the new administration is looking to make good on its promise that China shall no longer be plagued by bribery.

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