The US’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found corruption was
visible in Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) from the early 2000’s but
nothing was done to address it.
The SEC was tasked with probing the claims made about FMC. FMC said it
had co-operated fully with the investigation.
The investigation found the company had bribed doctors in Spain,
Turkey, China, Serbia, Bosnia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and in several
West African countries.
“Employees made improper payments through a variety of schemes
including through the use of false consulting contracts, the forgery
of documents and channelling bribes through external intermediaries,”
the SEC said.
“Senior management actively thwarted enforcement efforts. The improper
conduct continued for years,” the regulator added.
The SEC’s probe found FMC paid for Spanish doctors to go to
international medical conferences and on holidays, funded their
projects and bought them gifts to secure deals. The company spent
almost €2.7 million in Spain alone, the SEC found.
Source: German medical company accused of bribery to secure business in Spain – Euro Weekly News Spain