UK-Based biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca agreed to pay the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) $5.5 million to settle claims that its Chinese and Russian subsidiaries had made improper payments to state-controlled health care providers in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
In an order released earlier this week, the SEC outlined both the claims against AstraZeneca and the company’s cooperative and remedial efforts which were taken into account as part of the settlement.
Between 2007 and 2010 in China, sales staff made payments and gave gifts to physicians and administrators to ensure that state-owned health care providers would purchase AstraZeneca products. In one scheme described in the SEC Order, Chinese sales staff paid individuals for their appearance at fabricated speaking engagements. The conduct in Russia occurred between 2005 and 2010 and similarly paid members of state-owned health care providers to use AstraZeneca products.
AstraZeneca did not self-report its violations; however, it was still able to work toward a settlement based on its cooperation with the SEC. The SEC specifically noted that AstraZeneca disclosed documents and information collected during its own internal investigation including translations of key documents. The SEC also cited AstraZeneca’s remedial efforts including creation of a centralized compliance program with key compliance individuals placed in high-risk markets. AstraZeneca also took appropriate steps with regard to the employees involved ranging from trainings and reassignment to lower-risk areas of responsibility to voluntary separations and dismissals.
Yet again, full and complete cooperation appears to be the key to forging settlement of FCPA claims. Even after failing to self-report, the SEC lauded AstraZeneca’s cooperation and the information that the company’s internal investigation provided which would not have been discernable without the company’s assistance. In addition, the SEC recounted the numerous remedial steps that AstraZeneca undertook. If a company does not have the capacity to guide its own internal investigation or plan and implement remedial measures, it should contact a law firm that has the knowledge and resources to help the company make meaningful contributions to the investigation of any claims that arise.