Pfizer has reported “potentially improper payments” it made outside the U.S. in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The payments in question were made by Pfizer and Wyeth, which Pfizer acquired in 2009. The payments were made “in connection with certain sales activities outside the U.S.,” according to its filing, and the company is currently in discussions with the government to resolve the issue.
U.S. authorities have ramped up enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bars U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials to obtain or retain business. Multinational drug and medical-device makers based in the United States have been among the targets of enforcement since they promote their products to physicians employed by national health systems outside the country.
On a separate note, Pfizer also said it has received civil investigative demands and informal inquiries from the consumer protection divisions of several states seeking information and documents concerning the promotion of pain drug Lyrica and antibiotic Zyvox.
Read the Wall Street Journal report on Pfizer.
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