Eli Lilly and Co has spent millions of dollars on kickbacks to doctors in China for new patients who started using the drugmaker's insulin products, according to a report from a Chinese newspaper.
The 21st Century Business Herald reported that the Indianapolis company spent at least USD 4.9 million, in direct kickbacks to doctors. The paper cites a former Lilly executive it identified using the pseudonym Wang Wei.
A Lilly spokeswoman said in an email the company is "deeply concerned" about the allegations, and it is still investigating very similar accusations from a former sales manager that it learned about last year.
The company said it interviewed employees, audited expense reports and checked emails as part of an "exhaustive investigation" for any sign of kickbacks. Lilly said it has not been able to verify the allegations.
