Submission ID 116970
| Issue/Objective | Inequities in access to global medicines are a critical public health concern. One significant barrier to expanding access is the pervasive risk of corruption in the pharmaceutical sector. Defined by Transparency International as "the misuse of entrusted power for private gain," corruption can manifest in various forms, including price gouging, collusion, and bribery. Transparency International further defines bribery as "the offering, promising, giving, accepting or soliciting of an advantage as an inducement for an action which is illegal, unethical or a breach of trust." This study examines how bribery occurs in the pharmaceutical industry and highlights the need for strengthened oversight to address systemic risks. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Since 1999, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention has mandated the criminalization of bribery involving foreign public officials in international business, overseen by the OECD Working Group on Bribery. We reviewed publicly available OECD Working Group Phase Reports as of February 5th, 2025, to identify cases involving the pharmaceutical industry. These reports detail investigations and enforcement actions related to bribery allegations across multiple jurisdictions |
| Results | Our analysis revealed that pharmaceutical companies in several countries bribed government officials, health authority employees, and medical professionals. Common tactics included cash payments, gifts, extravagant trips, and fabricated research studies, aimed at securing regulatory approvals, increasing sales, or influencing prescription practices. Bribes were often disguised as marketing or consulting fees, funneled through intermediaries, and concealed by falsified financial records. Across four OECD countries, investigations uncovered at least USD 12,633,989 and EUR 55,144,660 in bribes, though the true extent remains uncertain. Sanctions imposed included EUR 1 million, USD 586,263,414 in fines, USD 447,237,274 in disgorgement, and USD 77,545,872 in prejudgment interest, bringing the total sanctions to USD 1,111,046,560. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | These findings underscore systemic bribery risks in the pharmaceutical sector and highlight persistent vulnerabilities in the OECD's anti-bribery framework. Cases implicating major international pharmaceutical firms (e.g., Novo Nordisk, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Teva, AstraZeneca, Sanofi) illustrate how corruption undermines patient safety, distorts clinical decision-making, and erodes public trust. Strengthening oversight and promoting greater corporate accountability are imperative for safeguarding global health and ensuring equitable access to essential medicines. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Jillian Kohler University of Toronto Jillian Kohler University of Toronto Anaam Khan University of Toronto |
