GlaxoSmithKline hit with new accusations it bribed doctors in Syria to boost sales

Updated: 02:58 EDT, 13 August 2014

Glaxosmithkline has been hit with fresh claims it bribed doctors and other medical officials to boost sales of its medicines – this time in Syria.

The drug maker, which is already under investigation for similar allegations in China, Poland and Jordan, is said to have been informed of the alleged misdeeds at its non-prescription drugs business via an anonymous email sent to bosses last week and seen by the Reuters news agency.

The company confirmed it received the email on August 6, adding it had ‘zero tolerance for any kind of unethical behaviour’.

Problems: The drug maker is already under investigation for similar allegations in China, Poland and Jordan

‘All the claims in this email will be thoroughly investigated using internal and external resources as part of our ongoing investigation into operations in Syria,’ it said.

‘We are committed to taking any disciplinary actions resulting from the findings.'

GSK has suspended its relationship with distributors in Syria while it investigates the claims. Shares were flat at 1377.5p.