“GSK, Facing Bribery Claims, Battles to Build New Sales Model”

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) – ”Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline – hit by bribery claims in five countries – is to employ hundreds more doctors as members of staff as it seeks to build a new sales model designed to eliminate sharp marketing practices.

Following a decision to cut commercial ties with outside doctors, GSK expects to increase its in-house team of physicians by 10-20 percent over the next year or so from around 1,500 at present, Chief Medical Officer James Shannon told Reuters.

Leaders of Britain's biggest drugmaker believe they have a blueprint that will put GSK ahead of rivals when it comes to ethical behaviour – but the company keeps getting knocked back by allegations of past corrupt practices.

GSK is now investigating claims that bribes were paid to doctors in Poland, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, following a much larger case of alleged bribery in China.

Chinese authorities in July accused GSK of funnelling up to 3 billion yuan ($483 million) to doctors and officials to encourage them to use its medicines in a case that the company has described as shameful. ….

Contd http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/gsk-corruption-idINL6N0N71OD20140417

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