GSK, the British pharmaceutical company who, time and time again, break global laws, are in danger of running foul of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), claim experts.
Why now?
Glaxo have been violating rules and regulations for many years. They pay the fines, [handed down in US Courts] make limp-wristed promises not to be naughty again, promise to be more transparent in the future yet only offer that transparency to people they want to, run "Patient First" programs that have nothing to do with putting patients first... then...continue to violate rules and regulations.
The Serious Fraud Office may or may not investigate Glaxo's latest bribery allegations in Poland, China, Iraq and Jordan - thing is, they should have been investigating GlaxoSmithKline years ago.
- Investigate the deal Glaxo struck with the US Department of Justice and how that deal protected GSK CEO Andrew Witty.
- Investigate the way they systematically hid the Seroxat addiction link in the UK.
- Investigate Glaxo's ties with the UK drug regulator, the MHRA.
- Investigate Glaxo's promotional push for Seroxat in pediatrics, even though it was never recommended for pediatric use.
- Investigate the MHRA's half-assed investigation into GlaxoSmithKline where key witnesses were ignored, resulting in a failure to prosecute GlaxoSmithKline.
According to Nathan Peacey, regulatory partner at law firm Bond Dickinson, "If GSK was charged by the SFO, the most likely outcome would be a deferred prosecution arrangement (DPA), a new sentencing option which holds back prosecution as long as the company agrees to take certain measures to address any issues. DPAs were introduced in February as an alternative to prosecution, which under the Bribery Act could involve a ban from public contracts."
Amazing isn't it?
With an abhorrent history of breaking the law it would appear that, even if prosecuted, GSK could use "We promise to be good boys and girls in the future" as a defence. In essence that's how the deferred prosecution arrangement works.
So, next time your local council or TV licence authorities threaten you with a hefty fine for non-payment... just quote the deferred prosecution arrangement and make promises that you will be good boys and girls in the future.
Even when you have this pharmaceutical company by the balls there's always some hidden clause that will let them off the hook.
In any event, what has the British drug regulator, the MHRA, been doing all these years?
One word, four syllables.
Pharmafia.
Bob Fiddaman.
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