GlaxoSmithKline’s government reputation continues to take hits. The latest allegations, reported by Bloomberg, include an ongoing investigation by Polish authorities in which 12 doctors and a GlaxoSmithKline manager have been accused of corruption.
The accusations stem from a BBC Panorama program in which a former drug rep told the BBC that doctors were paid to push GSK’s asthma medication Seretide within the context of education programs.
Monday’s news expands the list of government interactions the drug company has added within the last week, when allegations surfaced about misconduct in Iraq, and last year’s purported debacle in China.
GSK said in a statement Monday that it looked into the matter when allegations surfaced in 2011, and said it identified wrongdoing by one employee who “was reprimanded and disciplined.”
GSK said doctors and other healthcare providers ran the two-year program, which ran from 2010 to 2012. GlaxoSmithKline described the program as one intended to “assist in improving diagnostic standards and medical training.” The UK drugmaker said these contracted presenters “received payments appropriate to the scope of work as well as their level of knowledge and experience.”
Meanwhile, Regulatory Focus noted Friday that the FDA revoked its approval of the 300mg dose of Glaxo’s generic WellbutrinXL. RF says the quiet move was over lack of bioequivalence between the branded and generic anti-depressant.
