A number of senior executives from the Chinese division of GlaxoSmithKline are the focus of a criminal investigation.

 

　　The Ministry of Public Security has been questioning a number of GSK employees amid allegations they offered large bribes to government officials, hospitals and doctors to try to increase sales.

 

　　The British multi-national, which is the world's fourth biggest pharmaceutical maker, is also being investigated for tax related violations.

 

　　Back in April, GlaxoSmithKline was also probed by UK authorities for improper practices in market competition.

 

　　Other leading global pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson have all been the subject of previous investigations.

 

　　For more on the GSK probe and foreign pharmaceutical companies in China, CRI's Rebecca Hume spoke earlier with Ben Cavender, Associate Principal at China Market Research.

 

　　Ben Cavender, Associate Principal at China Market Research, speaking with CRI's Rebecca Hume.