Novartis says bribe allegations in Turkey groundless, matter closed

“Based on thorough internal and external counsel investigations we have concluded that all recent publicly and anonymously reported allegations relating to Novartis Turkey are unsubstantiated. We are not aware of any government authority investigating Novartis. We now consider this matter closed,” it said in an emailed statement on Aug. 12.

The Ankara chief prosecutor’s office had said in April it was investigating the Turkish unit of Novartis after allegations were made that the company benefited from bribery.

Novartis acknowledged on Aug. 11 that six current or former employees in South Korea gave kickbacks to doctors including paying for their travel abroad.