More Glaxo staff detained in China over bribery allegations

A FURTHER 18 GlaxoSmithKline employees have been detained by Chinese authorities as a major criminal investigation into alleged corruption widens.

Picture: AP

The UK drugs group is embroiled in a scandal which allegedly saw millions of pounds in bribes paid to Chinese doctors and health officials to boost sales and raise prices.

Chinese state media said police have detained more GSK employees after four of the company’s senior executives were arrested in relation to the claims earlier this month.

A report also claimed the group faced similar allegations from a whistleblower as early as January, although the firm has said it only became aware of the specific problems identified by Chinese police two weeks ago.

GSK said yesterday that it had “thoroughly investigated” the whistleblower’s allegations ­earlier this year.

A spokesman said: “These investigations did not support the specific allegations being made by the whistleblower.

“We understand that the allegations made by the Chinese ­authorities in the ongoing investigation are different and separate to the whistleblower’s particular allegations.”