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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/17/glaxosmithkline-stop-paying-doctors-promote-drugs

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GlaxoSmithKline to stop paying doctors to promote products GlaxoSmithKline to stop paying doctors to promote products
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Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will no longer pay doctors to promote its products as it attempts to modernise at a difficult time for the company.Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will no longer pay doctors to promote its products as it attempts to modernise at a difficult time for the company.
The British pharmaceutical company will also stop paying bonuses to its sales staff based on the number of prescriptions written by doctors and will no longer pay doctors and medical professionals to attend conferences. A report earlier this year found drug companies were paying an estimated £40m a year to British doctors in service fees, flights, hotel and other travel expenses. The British pharmaceutical company will also stop paying bonuses to its sales staff based on the number of prescriptions written by doctors and will no longer pay doctors and medical professionals to attend conferences. A report earlier this year found drug companies were paying an estimated £40m a year to British doctors in service fees, flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
The changes, which will be completed on a global basis by 2016 and bring an end to long-established practices, are being driven by a desire "to try and make sure we stay in step with how the world is changing", said chief executive Sir Andrew Witty.The changes, which will be completed on a global basis by 2016 and bring an end to long-established practices, are being driven by a desire "to try and make sure we stay in step with how the world is changing", said chief executive Sir Andrew Witty.
He told the New York Times: "We keep asking ourselves, are there different ways, more effective ways of operating than perhaps the ways we as an industry have been operating over the last 30, 40 years?" He told the New York Times: "We keep asking ourselves: are there different ways, more effective ways, of operating than perhaps the ways we as an industry have been operating over the last 30, 40 years?"
The move to change the culture comes as it faces allegations of corruption in China. GSK is accused of using a £320m fund to bribe doctors and hospital officials with cash and prostitutes in order to sell its products. The move to change the culture comes as the company faces allegations of corruption in China. GSK is accused of using a £320m fund to bribe doctors and hospital officials with cash and prostitutes in order to sell its products.
Witty declined to comment on the investigation but denied the latest changes to the way the business operates were related to the problems in China, where the company's sales have been sharply hit since the scandal emerged. Witty declined to comment on the investigation but denied that the latest changes to the way the business operates were related to the problems in China, where the company's sales have been sharply hit since the scandal emerged.
GSK shares were down 0.7% in early trading on Tuesday at £15.76.GSK shares were down 0.7% in early trading on Tuesday at £15.76.
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