Novartis AG Blasted for Blaming Management in Korea for Bribery Scandal
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is facing mounting criticism in South Korea for failing to take full responsibility for bribing local doctors to boost its sales here over the past five years.
Last week, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office indicted without detention six high-level officials at Novartis Korea, including former Chief Executive Moon Hak-sun, for providing 2.59 billion won ($2.34 million) in kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescribing its products from 2011 to 2016.
Six publishers of medical journals and 15 doctors, most of whom work at general hospitals, were also indicted for taking part in Novartis Korea’s unlawful actions.
Last week, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office indicted without detention six high-level officials at Novartis Korea, including former Chief Executive Moon Hak-sun, for providing 2.59 billion won ($2.34 million) in kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescribing its products from 2011 to 2016.
Six publishers of medical journals and 15 doctors, most of whom work at general hospitals, were also indicted for taking part in Novartis Korea’s unlawful actions.