Japan to seek criminal prosecution of Novartis

Japan’s health ministry intends to file a criminal complaint against the local arm of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis over alleged fabrication of drugs data, a report said yesterday.
Novartis Pharma KK has been under fire since a university said the data might have been skewed to promote a popular blood-pressure drug.
Health Minister Norihisa Tamura has characterised as “extremely regrettable” the incident in which an employee of the world’s number two drug maker hid his affiliation during a medical study into the effects of Valsartan.
The ministry, which has since investigated the case, is now planning to file a criminal complaint seeking punishment not only for the company but also for individuals involved in the scandal, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
A ministry official in charge of the issue told AFP no firm decision had yet been made.
Under Japan’s pharmaceutical law, anyone found guilty of exaggerated advertising can be punished with up to two years’ prison or a fine of as much as two million yen ($19,400).