GlaxoSmithKline has sent its head of emerging markets and two other top executives to China to lead the drugmaker's response to an unfolding crisis over alleged bribery and corruption.
Abbas Hussain, GSK's president of emerging markets, was dispatched by chief executive Sir Andrew Witty, along with the group's global head of internal audit and a senior legal official, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday.
All three have now arrived in the country to co-operate with Chinese authorities and try to get to the bottom of a scandal that has shaken confidence in GSK's internal procedures.
On Monday, Chinese police accused GSK of bribing officials and doctors to boost sales and raise the price of its medicines in China. They said GSK transferred up to 3bn yuan (£323m) to 700 travel agencies and consultancies over six years to facilitate the bribes.
The decision to send the executives shows the seriousness with which Britain's biggest drugmaker views a situation that threatens its reputation and risks undermining business in a big, fast-growing market.
GSK said it was deeply concerned by the allegations, which it called "shameful".
The drugmaker has also hired auditors Ernst & Young to carry out an independent review of its systems in China, another source said on Wednesday.
China has detained four senior Chinese executives and banned GSK's finance chief in China, Steve Nechelput, from leaving the country.
The episode has left GSK's senior management team in China in disarray, with the general manager for China, Mark Reilly, leaving the country on 5 July for what sources said were routine meetings in London. Reilly has not returned.
Hussain is a key lieutenant of GSK's chief executive, reflecting the importance that Witty places on emerging markets as future driver of sales for GSK. He joined in June 2008 and is a member of the corporate executive team.
GSK's move to send senior-level reinforcements to China comes as Chinese authorities widen a probe into malpractice by drug companies.
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