Venezuela Investigates Drug Companies for Corruption
Venezuela Investigates Drug Companies for Corruption
Published 6 May 2015
German pharmaceuticals Merck and Bayer are among the targets of the new investigation.
Venezuela is investigating multinational pharmaceutical companies for abusing trade deals in the country.
The Venezuelan government offers multinational pharmaceuticals preferential currency exchange rates for imported medications. Among those suspected of corruption are German medical laboratories like Merck and Bayer.
“Why have 200 million dollars been given to Bayer in 2014 but there are no contraceptives in this country?” asked Venezuela Health Minister Henry Ventura.
The minister, who is leading the investigation, suspects the pharmaceutical companies reduced the production of some medications to allocate preferential dollars to the importation of more profitable medications like vitamins. This, according to the Health Ministry, has caused the scarcity of medications for more serious illnesses.
More:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Venezuela-Investigates-Drug-Companies-for-Corruption--20150506-0032.html
