China pledges to clean up drugs sector after GSK scandal
State Food and Drug Administration declares a six-month clean up campaign
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.China today ratcheted up its attack on western pharmaceuticals giants, declaring a crackdown on corruption across the industry.
In the week it accused GlaxoSmithKline of widespread bribery of doctors and officials, the State Food and Drug Administration declared a six-month campaign to clean up the medicines business.
“We must resolutely punish illegal acts, expose illegal enterprises and recall problematic products,” said the administration’s deputy commissioner Wu Zhen. While not explicitly referring to its claims of Glaxo’s ¥3 billion (£323 million) bribery acts, a spokesman added: “If it’s a domestic or foreign invested enterprise, once it has violated Chinese law, it will be sanctioned.”
The campaign will target counterfeit medicines and illegal online drug sales as well as bribery and corruption.
Meanwhile, in a clear reference to the GSK affair, the government mouthpiece, The People’s Daily, declared China must “lift a sharp sword to pierce the improper, even illegal, costs behind rising drug prices” for which multinationals were responsible. GSK, Merck and Astellas Pharma are all now under investigation for their pricing along with dozens of local manufacturers.
The newspaper went on to demand a crackdown on bribery by multinationals in other industries as well. Earlier this month, Nestlé and Danone said they would cut prices of baby milk formula in China after Beijing launched an investigation into the industry.
GSK, for whom China is one of its fastest growing markets, has said it is deeply concerned about the allegations of activities which, if true, were “shameful”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments