We know money and power create corruption, every now and then we get concrete proof. In 2012 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) admitting to bribing doctors and encouraging the use of prescriptions in children, despite only being approved for adults. The Guardian reports on a culture of lavish rewards for doctors who over prescribed medicines, prescribed medicines to children, and wrote or spoke out on behalf of the effectiveness of the drugs. GSK spent money on sporting events, trips, golf lessons, fishing trips, concerts and so on to “entertain” doctors. Additionally, GSK paid doctors hundreds of thousands of dollars to go on speaking tours promoting their drugs. GSK even published articles in medical journals encouraging the use of their anti-depressants in children despite trials disputing their effectiveness in children and despite the increased risk of the use of anti-depressants in children. The drugs involved are Wellbutrin, Paxil, Advair and Avandia.

Read the full Guardian article here. GlaxoSmithKline fined $3bn after bribing doctors to increase drugs sales | Business | The Guardian