| Author (Person) | Romaniello, Martina |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | February 2018 |
| Publication Date | 26/02/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Further information: On 22 February 2018 the Greek parliament voted to investigate the two former Greek prime ministers Antonis Samaras and Panagiotis Pikrammenos, and eight former ministers, who were in office between 2006 and 2015, over allegations they allowed bribery by the Swiss pharmaceuticals company Novartis. Investigators believe that Novartis overcharged the Greek state for medicines in collaboration with government officials who received kickbacks, bilking taxpayers some $3.7 billion (€3 billion) between 2006 and 2015. All the ministers denied any involvement in this case and, in particular, the EU’s migration commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, who was Greek health minister between 2006 and 2009, accused witnesses in the case of trying to damage his reputation and he demanded that their identity be revealed. Background information: This investigation started in December 2016 but the case gained attention following a suicide attempt by a Novartis manager on New Year's Day 2017. The Swiss Novartis was also investigated by US authorities in 2014, accused of paying bribes in order to boost sales of some of its medicines, and was later fined $390 million (€314 million) by the US Justice Department. Moreover, in March 2017, Novartis also paid $25 million to settle claims involving its Chinese subsidiary. In February 2018 the Greek parliament decided to investigate some Greek politicians over the Novartis scandal. |
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| Countries / Regions | Greece |
