A spokesman for the pharmaceutical company confirmed the internal investigation, but avoided commenting on the allegations, Reuters reports.
Teva Pharmaceutical launched an investigation last year, after an anonymous person accused the Israelis of paying commissions for speakers and consultants for Romanian doctors, who agree to prescribe the drug Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, to as many patients as possible. from Romania.
Also, the Romanian doctors are covered by the travel expenses abroad by the Teva representatives.
Moreover, the Israeli company is accused of actively trying to prove that the respective commissions of speakers are legitimate and in this regard sends a short PowerPoint presentation to each doctor involved in the scheme.
Afterwards, the doctor will read his presentation at a meeting with other health workers to receive his money from Teva Pharmaceutical.
There is no information on the amount received by Romanian doctors involved in the scheme of the Israeli pharmaceutical company.
However, Copaxone generated sales of about $ 1.1 billion in the last quarter, or 19% of Teva Pharmaceutical’s total revenue.
The United States prohibits by law any attempt to bribe a foreign government representative in an attempt to obtain privileges or preferential contracts, even if the payment is made directly or by covering extravagant costs or travel abroad.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries operates under U.S. criminal law because it is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has several subsidiaries in the United States.
Teva Pharmaceutical is currently trying to resolve other investigations opened by US authorities into bribing Russian, Mexican and Ukrainian health workers.
Teva Pharmaceutical has allocated $ 520 million for possible penalties.
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