<p>Citing to letters sent to the companies and people close to the matter, the 'Wall Street Journal' reported that federal investigators are looking at ways that drug makers could be paying bribes overseas to boost sales and speed approval.<br /><br />Big companies, including Merck & Co, AstraZeneca Plc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co and GlaxoSmithKline Plc, in recent months have disclosed they are being investigated for possible violations of a 1977 law that makes it illegal for companies whose stock is traded in the US to bribe government officials in other countries to get business, the report noted.<br /><br />While some companies, including SciClone Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co, disclosed receiving subpoenas from the SEC. Baxter International Inc also has said it is being investigated.<br /><br />There could be four types of possible violations: bribing government-employed doctors to purchase drugs; paying company sales agents commissions that are passed along to government doctors; paying hospital committees to approve drug purchases; and paying regulators to win drug approvals, it added.<br /><br />The investigation is targeting transactions in Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia and Saudi Arabia, the report said citing to people familiar with the matter.<br />According to the publication, the companies said they are cooperating with the government, with several adding that the investigation is industry-wide and broader than their firms specifically. Many said they have policies meant to ensure compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).<br /><br />So far, none of the companies has been accused of wrongdoing, and the investigation ultimately may not result in charges, the report noted.The daily noted that the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission requested that companies voluntarily report any violations of the FCPA.<br /><br />The report noted that the Justice Department and the SEC declined to comment.<br />The daily said that representatives for Merck, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers, Glaxo and Baxter declined to comment on the probe beyond saying they were cooperating fully with the government.</p>
<p>Citing to letters sent to the companies and people close to the matter, the 'Wall Street Journal' reported that federal investigators are looking at ways that drug makers could be paying bribes overseas to boost sales and speed approval.<br /><br />Big companies, including Merck & Co, AstraZeneca Plc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co and GlaxoSmithKline Plc, in recent months have disclosed they are being investigated for possible violations of a 1977 law that makes it illegal for companies whose stock is traded in the US to bribe government officials in other countries to get business, the report noted.<br /><br />While some companies, including SciClone Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co, disclosed receiving subpoenas from the SEC. Baxter International Inc also has said it is being investigated.<br /><br />There could be four types of possible violations: bribing government-employed doctors to purchase drugs; paying company sales agents commissions that are passed along to government doctors; paying hospital committees to approve drug purchases; and paying regulators to win drug approvals, it added.<br /><br />The investigation is targeting transactions in Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia and Saudi Arabia, the report said citing to people familiar with the matter.<br />According to the publication, the companies said they are cooperating with the government, with several adding that the investigation is industry-wide and broader than their firms specifically. Many said they have policies meant to ensure compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).<br /><br />So far, none of the companies has been accused of wrongdoing, and the investigation ultimately may not result in charges, the report noted.The daily noted that the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission requested that companies voluntarily report any violations of the FCPA.<br /><br />The report noted that the Justice Department and the SEC declined to comment.<br />The daily said that representatives for Merck, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers, Glaxo and Baxter declined to comment on the probe beyond saying they were cooperating fully with the government.</p>