February 22, 2019

SFO closes investigation of UK pharmaceutical company

The Serious Fraud Office has closed its investigation of GlaxoSmithKline PLC and declined to prosecute entities or individuals connected with the company.  The investigation, first announced by the SFO in May 2014, focused on commercial practices by the company and its subsidiaries.  In September 2016, GSK settled related charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the company, through its Chinese subsidiary, violated the books and records and internal controls provisions of the FCPA, agreeing to pay a civil penalty of $20 million, to improve its anti-corruption policies and procedures, and to submit to a two-year period of self-monitoring and reporting.

SFO Statement | SEC Order (2016)