In the wake of the GlaxoSmithKline bribery scandal in China, international pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Eli Lilly and Company confirmed that they have been approached by a local industry and commerce administration in China.
The whole industry has been tense since GSK was caught in the scandal. Some international drug makers have temporarily stopped product promotion in China, and some travel agencies are reluctant to receive orders from drug makers as a travel agency was involved in the GSK scandal, media said.
French drug maker Sanofi said that one of its regional offices was "visited" by the Shenyang industry and commerce administration in Liaoning Province Monday, but it is "not aware of the purpose of this visit."
US drug maker Eli Lilly also confirmed that it was "reviewed" by the Shenyang industry and commerce administration earlier this year. But it has denied that the current matter has any relation with the GSK investigation and said that it was only a "routine business inspection."
The 21st Century Business Herald reported Thursday that the two companies have been investigated by the local industry and commerce administration in Shenyang, and said that Eli Lilly may be facing a 5 million yuan ($815,500) fine. Eli Lilly denied the report of the fine.
Drug makers UCB and AstraZeneca have also been investigated by government agencies, and other major drug makers like Pfizer, Bayer, Roche are reportedly facing investigation as well, media said. Read more
