Ankara prosecutor ‘launches investigation into Novartis’

ANKARA/ISTANBUL

REUTERS photo

The Ankara Chief Prosecutor has launched an investigation into the Turkish unit of Swiss drug maker Novartis, as reported by Anadolu Agency on April 1, after allegations that it benefitted from bribery.

The investigation will be executed by the Public Servants’ Crime Investigation Bureau, according to sources. 

Novartis said the allegations against it were “unfounded” and based on a past complaint, in a written statement on March 31. 

Reuters reported this week that an anonymous whistleblower accused the company of paying bribes through a consulting firm to secure an estimated $85 million in business advantages.

Turkey’s health ministry opened a separate investigation into the allegations on March 31. A senior ministry official told reporters on April 1 that no problems have been found in the initial investigation.

The results of the investigation will be released next week, Eyüp Gümüş, undersecretary of the health ministry, told reporters in Istanbul, as quoted by Reuters.