AstraZeneca has confirmed that a “small number” of its employees are under investigation in China, following reports by Bloomberg that police are probing five current and former staff members for alleged violations of data privacy laws and importing unlicensed medicine.
The pharmaceutical giant, while not providing further details, acknowledged the investigation after Bloomberg reported that the employees in question are Chinese citizens who marketed cancer treatments for AstraZeneca. The inquiry is focused on the collection of patient data and the distribution of an unapproved drug.
AstraZeneca, which has a significant presence in China, has invested in building independent supply chains within the country. In 2023, the company generated $5.9 billion in revenue from China, accounting for 13% of its total sales.
