Medical bribes

Crimes in medicine

Main article: Crimes in medicine

2024

The head of the procurement department of the oncology dispensary received 7 years in prison for a bribe

The Bryansk District Court sentenced to seven years in prison in a general regime colony the former head of the procurement department of the regional oncological dispensary in a bribery case. This was announced by the United Press Service of the Courts of General Jurisdiction of the Bryansk Region in early March 2024. Read more here.

The head of surgery received a term for extortion from patients

On January 21, 2024, the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Udmurt Republic reported that the head of the department of the Glazovskaya interdistrict hospital received a term for illegal activities and bribes. The man was found guilty of committing crimes under Part 3 of Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (eight episodes of fraud using his official position) and Part 1 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (four episodes of receiving a bribe). Read more here.

A case of a bribe of 5 million rubles was opened against the ex-deputy minister of health of the Kamchatka Territory

In Kamchatka, criminal cases of bribery have been initiated against a group of entrepreneurs and the former deputy minister of health of the region. This was announced on January 10, 2024 by the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the region. Read more here.

2023

A large-scale state-owned campaign to eradicate corruption in hospitals has begun in China. Purchases of medical equipment are decreasing

In mid-September 2023, it became known that a large-scale campaign against corruption in the healthcare sector in China provoked a decrease in purchases of medical equipment. The current macroeconomic situation also has a negative impact on the industry. Read more here.

7.5 years of strict regime to the former deputy head doctor for bribes

On September 15, 2023, the Kislovodsky City Court of the Stavropol Territory sentenced in a criminal case on taking bribes in the amount of almost 7.5 million rubles by the former deputy chief physician of the city clinical hospital No. 2. Read more here.

The deputy head of the Samara Ministry of Health was accused of taking a bribe of 15 million rubles

The Investigative Department of the TFR in the Samara Region opened a new criminal case against the regional deputy minister of health - the head of the department of pharmacy "of medical equipment and logistics Aslanbek Mairamukaev. We are talking about the commission of a crime under Part 6 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (taking a bribe on an especially large scale). The press service of the department announced this on August 24, 2023. Read more here.

The pathologist of the Samara hospital received 8.5 years in prison for bribes in the amount of 3 million rubles

A court in the Samara region sentenced a pathologist of the City Hospital (GB) No. 4 in the case of taking bribes (Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). About this press service of the Investigative Department of the TFR in the Samara region. Read more here.

Philips paid $62 million to bribe civil servants

On May 11, 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Philips would pay $62 million to settle proceedings related to possible bribery of foreign government employees. Read more here.

Penza businessman accused of giving a bribe to the head physician of the oncological dispensary accused of purchasing medical equipment

On April 10, 2023, the prosecutor's office of the Penza region announced the approval of the indictment in the criminal case of giving a bribe on an especially large scale to the head physician of the oncological dispensary. The entrepreneur tried in this way to provide preferences to his companies when purchasing medical equipment and medical products. Read more here.

Saratov pharmaceutical company paid a fine of 1 million rubles for a bribe to the head physician

Saratov pharmaceutical company Pharm-Invest paid a fine for a bribe to the head physician. The press service of the prosecutor's office of the Saratov region announced this on March 16, 2023. Read more here.

The head of the pharmacy of the Bryansk city hospital was convicted in the case of bribes with the participation of the head physician

The Sovetsky District Court in Bryansk sentenced in a criminal case against the now former head of the pharmacy of the Bryansk City Hospital No. 1. She was found guilty of committing crimes under paragraphs "in" part 5 and part 6 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (taking bribes on a large and especially large scale). This was announced in January 2023 by the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation. Read more here.

Doctors of the Irkutsk neuropsychiatric dispensary were accused of taking bribes for fictitious medical sentences

Doctors of the Irkutsk neuropsychiatric dispensary (OGBUZ "IOPND") were accused of taking bribes for fictitious medical reports. This was reported on February 21, 2023 in the regional investigation department of the TFR. Read more here.

Businessmen who gave a bribe to the ex-head of the Ministry of Health of Altai will return 23 million rubles to the budget

The Arbitration Court of the Altai Territory invalidated 13 transactions for the supply of medical devices and furniture to healthcare institutions in the region and ordered Investcreditservice, which concluded them, to return to the regional more than 23 million rubles obtained illegally. This was announced on February 2, 2023 by the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation for the Siberian Federal District. Read more here.

The management of the Arkhangelsk hospital was accused of bribes and embezzlement of 5 million rubles

At the end of January 2023, it became known that the leadership of the Arkhangelsk hospital was accused of bribes and embezzlement of several million. Details of business were reported by the press service of the State Office of Public Prosecutor of the Russian Federation. Read more here.

The head physician of the Vologda Oncology Center was placed in a pre-trial detention center in the case of a bribe in the supply of medical equipment

At the end of December 2022, the chief physician of the Vologda Regional Oncological Dispensary, Sergei Anosenko, was detained in the case of receiving a bribe on an especially large scale - more than 1 million rubles. This was reported by the press service of the Investigation Department of the RF IC for the region. Read more here.

Ex-head of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation sentenced to 8 years in prison for bribes when purchasing medical equipment

The Basmanny Court of Moscow sentenced to eight years in prison the former head of the property management of special projects (UISP) of the Ministry of Defense of Russia (MoD RF) Andrei Tulupov for a scam with the supply of medical equipment and corruption. This became known on January 23, 2023. Read more here.

2022

Head physician of Penza district hospital arrested on charges of bribe from builders

At the end of November 2022, the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Penza Region announced the initiation of a criminal case against the chief physician of the district hospital in the Penza Region, accused of receiving a bribe during the repair of the building of a medical facility.

According to investigators, the head of the medical institution in September 2022 agreed with the head of the construction organization and two of his associates to transfer him a bribe in the amount of 2.2 million rubles for concluding a contract for the overhaul of the building of the medical institution. At the same time, the head physician allegedly promised that he would subsequently sign acts of acceptance of work, including those that would not actually be completed.

In accordance with this agreement, on the evening of November 24, one of the bribe-givers put 600 thousand rubles at the direction of the doctor in the salon of his official car. The rest of the bribe was planned to be transferred after the work was completed. After the transfer of money, both defendants were detained by employees of the Department of Economic Security and Anti-Corruption of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

As a result, a criminal case was opened against three people on the fact of transferring illegal remuneration to an official., And the chief doctor himself will appear before the court on charges of corruption. He has already confessed to his deed and by the end of November 2022 is under house arrest.

At the same time, the TFR did not inform either the name of the head physician of the hospital, or the medical institution that he runs.

It is clarified that a criminal case has been initiated against the head physician under Part 6 of Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (receiving a bribe by an official on an especially large scale for illegal actions), against the head of a construction organization and his associates - under Part 5 of Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (giving a bribe to an official by a group of persons by prior conspiracy on an especially large scale for committing deliberately illegal actions).^[1]

In Belarus, the head of the representative office of the Swiss Alpen Pharma was detained. He is accused of bribes to health workers

At the end of November 2022, it became known about the detention of the head of the Belarusian representative office of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Alpen Pharma. Read more here.

Deputy Director General of Vaccine and Serum Research Institute detained in bribery case

On November 24, 2022, the Oktyabrsky District Court of St. Petersburg sent under arrest the Deputy General Director of the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums (SPbNIIVES) Andrei Vasiliev, who is suspected of taking a bribe of about 30 million rubles (part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Read more here.

The chief accountant of the Khabarovsk military hospital was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison for bribes

The head of the financial and economic department, the chief accountant of a military clinical hospital in Khabarovsk, was convicted of taking bribes. The press service of the Khabarovsk Regional Court announced this on October 25, 2022. Read more here.

Ex-deputy in St. Petersburg received 9 years in prison for bribes of 17 million rubles when equipping hospitals

In August 2022, the Vyborg District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced ex-deputy of the Legislative Assembly Roman Koval to nine years in prison and paid a fine of 35 million rubles on charges of taking bribes when equipping hospitals. Read more here.

A petition has been published demanding the release of a Kuzbass neurosurgeon from a pre-trial detention center

On June 19, 2022, information appeared that the famous Kemerovo neurosurgeon Yegor Kolotov had been kept in the Kemerovo pre-trial detention center for a long time. Social activists demanded to change the measure of restraint: a petition was published on the Internet demanding the release of Yegor Kolotov from the pre-trial detention center. He is said to have been detained on suspicion of taking a bribe. Read more here.

In Perm, employees of a St. Petersburg supplier were fined for bribes in public procurement of medical equipment

As it became known in early June 2022, the Leninsky District Court of Perm sentenced employees of the representative office of the St. Petersburg medical equipment supplier Medtrade to fines of 1.2 million and 1.25 million rubles for mediation when trying to transfer a bribe to the Ministry for the Settlement of the Contract System in the field of procurement of the Perm Territory (part 4 of article 291.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Read more here.

A criminal case was opened against the deputy head of the oncology dispensary on taking bribes from patients

In mid-May 2022, the Leninsky District Court of Rostov-on-Don arrested Yulia Goncharova, deputy chief physician of the regional oncological dispensary, who is suspected of extortion and taking bribes. Read more here.

Ex-head physician of the hospital in Transbaikalia Danilchenko Valery received 7 years in prison for bribes

In March 2022, the Central District Court Cheats sentenced Valery Danilchenko, the former chief physician of the Mogochinsky Central District Hospital (CRH), to seven years and three months of imprisonment in a maximum security correctional colony, and also deprived him of the right to hold senior positions in the field health care for three years. The doctor was found guilty under Article 290 ("Taking a bribe on a large scale") of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. More. here

Lukashenka's attending physician was detained. He is accused of taking bribes

In Belarus, more than 35 orthopedists-traumatologists, including the attending physician of the country's President Alexander Lukashenko, were detained for bribery. This was announced by the head of state himself on April 18, 2022 at a meeting with Minister of Health Dmitry Pinevich, prosecutor Andrei Shwed General and Head of the State Security Committee Ivan Tertel.

According to Lukashenka, the defendants in the case "suggested to people lying on the operating table what imported orthopedic spare parts they should insert into the body," and "they received bribes from foreigners decently for this." Some of them found up to 650 thousand euros at home, the head of state says. He invited the Minister of Health Dmitry Pinevich to talk with each of the doctors in the pre-trial detention center.

I would like today in the presence of our main guardian of the law - the Prosecutor General to decide what we will do with these people. I know your requests to bail them. Not to forgive, but to bail after they compensate for the huge damage to the state, Lukashenka said.

He proposed to send them, by decision of the minister, "to some structure for work" in his specialty. The leader of Belarus noted that the case began a few years ago, and he personally controlled the course of this operation.

It's not today, it's not started yesterday. I warned the Minister of Health about this. But today there are 35 people. I am sure that these are not all those who should sit there with them... It is sad that the "attending physician of the president" also got there. Who examined the president more than once. I am very upset by this fact, but the law is the law - it is the same for everyone, "Lukashenka noted, while not naming the name of this attending physician.

Ilizarov Traumatology and Orthopedics Center was searched

On April 4, 2022, it became known about the searches that took place in the office of one of the deputy chief physician of the National Medical Research Center (NMITs) of traumatology and orthopedics named after G. A. Ilizarov of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in Kurgan. Read more here.

A case of bribes during the supply of medical equipment was opened against the head physician of the Kislovodsk hospital

In March 2022, it became known about the initiation of a criminal case against the chief physician of the SBUZ SK "Kislovodskaya City Hospital" Sergei Egorov, as well as the head physician of the Stavropol City Children's Hospital named after Filippsky Vyacheslav Kashnikov. They are suspected of participating in corruption schemes. Read more here.

Deputy head physician of the hospital in Stavropol detained on suspicion of receiving a bribe of 5 million rubles

The Stavropol Interdistrict Investigation Department of the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee for the Stavropol Territory, as reported by the press service of the regional department on March 18, 2022, opened a criminal case against the deputy chief physician for the administrative and economic part of the SBUZ SK "City Clinical Hospital No. 2." He was charged with committing a crime under Part 6 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (taking a bribe on an especially large scale). Read more here.

The head of the department of the hospital of the Sakhalin region received 9 years in prison for bribes

The head of the bidding department of the Kholm Central District Hospital in the Sakhalin Region was sentenced to nine years in prison for bribes. The press service of the regional prosecutor's office announced this on February 24, 2022. Read more here.

The head physician of the Bryansk city hospital was detained on charges of taking a bribe of 1.65 million rubles

In February 2022, it became known about the detention of the chief physician of the Bryansk city hospital No. 1Kontantin Vorontsov. He is accused of receiving a bribe when supplying medical devices. Read more here.

Ex-deputy head of the Department of Health of the Smolensk region accused of bribing the FSB

On February 8, 2022, it became known that the former deputy head of the Health Department of the Smolensk Region was charged with giving a bribe on a large scale and negligence as part of a criminal investigation into interruptions in the supply of preferential medicines. Read more here.

The deputy head doctor of the Chelyabinsk hospital received 9.5 years in a maximum security colony for a bribe

At the end of January 2022, Aleksey Neverov, deputy chief physician of the regional clinical hospital No. 3 of Chelyabinsk, was sentenced to 9.5 years in a maximum security colony and a fine of 4.5 million rubles on charges of receiving a particularly large bribe (part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), attempted bribe (part 3 of article 30, part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and abuse of office (part 1 of article 286 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). In addition, he is prohibited from holding leadership positions. Read more here.

Russian Railways clinic will pay 1 million rubles for a bribe to the compulsory medical insurance fund

As it became known on January 24, 2022, a court in the Amur Region fined the Russian Railways-Medicine clinic 1 million rubles on charges of giving a bribe. This was reported by the press service of the regional prosecutor's office. Read more here.

The head of the department of the Ministry of Health of North Ossetia was detained on charges of bribes

As it became known on January 10, 2022, the head of the licensing department of the Ministry of Health of North Ossetia Angela Mamaeva was detained on suspicion of taking bribes. According to TASS, citing a law enforcement source, the woman, according to investigators, demanded a monetary reward from entrepreneurs in exchange for help in obtaining permission for medical activities. Read more here.

2021

Former head of the hospital department in Salavat received 3 years probation for a bribe when supplying equipment for neurosurgery

At the end of November 2021, the Salavat City Court sentenced the former head of the surgical department of the local city hospital to a suspended sentence of 3 years and a fine of 500 thousand rubles. This was reported by the press service of the court, without naming the accused. Read more here.

FAS found 4 seaside suppliers of medical products guilty of cartel worth 146.7 million rubles

At the end of October 2021, the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS) in Moscow recognized four suppliers of medical equipment in the Primorsky Territory - PTF Corpus LLC, Equipment and Service LLC, Vostok LLC and Himmedsnab LLC - cartel participants. According to the regulator, the conspiring companies entered into an oral anti-competitive agreement with participation in 17 tenders totaling 146.7 million rubles. Read more here.

The businessman got off with a suspended sentence for giving a bribe of 660 thousand rubles to the Minister of Health of Altai

In October 2021, Biysk was sentenced against the deputy director and actual head of one of the commercial organizations of Novokuznetsk. The court found him guilty of committing a crime under paragraph "b," part 4 of article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (giving a bribe to an official personally, committed on a large scale). Read more here.

Spinal repair device maker paid surgeons millions in bribes

At the end of September 2021, information appeared that SpineFrontier, which manufactures spinal devices, charged two of its top managers with implementing a scheme to bribe surgeons for using the company's products on the market. Read more here.

The doctor of the Moscow region military registration and enlistment office received 8 years in prison for bribes from conscripts

As it became known at the end of July 2021, the Railway City Court of the Moscow Region sentenced to 8 years in prison the former head of the military medical commission for the cities of Lyubertsy, Dzerzhinsky, Kotelniki and Lytkarino, therapist Vladimir Rybkin. He was found guilty under Part 3 and Part 4 of Art. 291 of the Criminal Code (giving a bribe to an official on a large scale) and Part 1 of Art. 285 of the Criminal Code (abuse of office). Read more here.

The deputy head of the hospital Oksana Volik was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a bribe from the supplier of medical devices

In mid-July 2021, the Maykop City Court sentenced Oksana Volik, the former deputy chief physician of the Maykop City Clinical Hospital, to eight years in prison. She was found guilty of receiving a bribe on an especially large scale (part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Read more here.

A pathologist was detained in Nizhny Novgorod for bribes from funeral companies

In July 2021, it became known about the detention of the acting head of the pathological and anatomical department of the city clinical hospital (City Clinical Hospital No. 5) Lyudmila Alyokhina. She is suspected of taking bribes from funeral companies. Read more here.

Ex-head of the Chelyabinsk Ministry of Health sentenced to 4 years in prison for a bribe

On July 1, 2021, the Central District Court of Chelyabinsk sentenced the ex-head of the drug supply department of the regional Ministry of Health Arina Ustyugova to four years in prison in a general regime colony. She was found guilty of receiving 507 thousand rubles as a bribe from a representative of a commercial organization. Read more here.

Ex-head physician of a hospital in the Trans-Baikal Territory received 3 years in prison for bribes

On June 8, 2021,  the ex-head physician of the Priargunsky Central District Hospital (CRH) of the Trans-Baikal Territory received 3 years in a maximum security colony for bribes. This was reported by the regional investigation department of the RF IC. According to local media, we are talking about Dmitry Mungalov. Read more here.

Ex-head of the medical examination bureau in Dagestan sentenced to 7.5 years of strict regime for bribes and extortion

On June 7, 2021, the Sovetsky District Court sentenced the former head of the Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise in Dagestan Magomed Makhachev to 7.5 years in a maximum security colony for bribes and extortion at the workplace. Also, the convict will have to pay a fine of 4.5 million rubles and will not be able to hold senior positions in state and municipal institutions for five years. In addition, property worth more than 20 million rubles was seized. Read more here.

Former deputy head of Khakassia sentenced to 9 years in prison for bribes during the construction of a neuropsychiatric boarding school

On May 13, 2021, the Abakan City Court sentenced the former acting deputy head of Khakassia, Sergei Novikov, to nine years in a maximum security colony, finding him guilty under Part 6 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (a bribe on an especially large scale). Read more here.

Neurosurgeon in the United States will pay millions for kickbacks in the supply of Medtronic medical equipment

In early May 2021, the court sentenced neurosurgeon Wilson Asfora for receiving kickbacks when supplying Medtronic medical equipment. The doctor and two medical device distributors he owns - Medical Designs and Sicage - agreed to pay $4.4 million to settle the charges. Read more here.

Ex-head of the department of pharmaceutical faculty in Smolensk sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for bribes from students

At the end of March 2021, the former head of the department of Smolensk State Medical University Anastasia Kiseleva was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for bribes from students. Read more here.

The director of the branch of the pharmaceutical company "Farmimex" received a prison sentence for a bribe to the ex-head physician of the Penza Regional Oncology Center

At the end of March 2021, Elena Fokanova was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and a fine of 3.9 million rubles. The director of the Saratov branch of the joint-stock company "Pharmaceutical Import, Export" was found guilty under Part 5 of Art. 291 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (giving a bribe on an especially large scale). Read more here.

The head of Biotek was accused of giving bribes to the governor of the Penza region

On March 22 Investigative Committee Russia , 2021, he presented official charges to the chairman of the board of directors of the Biotek group of companies Boris Spiegel in giving bribes to the governor of the Penza region. Ivan Belozertsev More. here

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Stavropol Territory detained on charges of bribes during the construction of medical institutions

On March 12, 2021, the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Stavropol Territory announced the detention of Deputy Prime Minister of the region Alexander Zolotarev. A criminal case was initiated against him on suspicion of taking bribes on an especially large scale (part 6 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Read more here.

The head of the Altai Ministry of Health was detained on charges of taking a bribe

On March 10, 2021, law enforcement officers detained the Minister of Health of the Altai Republic, Sergei Kovalenko, on suspicion of corruption. Read more here.

The court sentenced former employees of the Altai Oncology Dispensary

On February 18, 2021, the Central District Court of Barnaul sentenced in a bribery and misappropriation case against three former employees of the Altai Regional Oncological Dispensary, including Olga Nevara, the former deputy head physician for economic affairs. According to investigators, they received money from suppliers for concluding contracts with them for the supply of goods for the needs of the clinic. Read more here.

Former head of the hospital of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Igor Tsoi received 6.5 years of strict regime for bribes

In February 2021, the Belogorsk Garrison Military Court sentenced the former head of the Federal State Treasury Institution "411 Military Hospital" of the Russian Ministry of Defense Igor Tsoi to 6.5 years in a maximum security colony for bribery. Read more here.

FAS revealed violations in the purchase of 5 CT scanners by the Ministry of Health of Bashkortostan for 412 million rubles

In February 2021, the Department of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) in the Republic of Bashkortostan reported violations committed by the regional Ministry of Health when supplying medical equipment within the framework of the national project "Healthcare." Read more here.

Ex-head physician of the Vladimir hospital sentenced to 4 years in prison for bribes

In early February 2021, the court sentenced the former chief physician of the Regional Clinical Hospital (OKB) Vladimir Liubov Bykova in a corruption case. She was found guilty of committing crimes under paragraph "" part 5 of Art. 290, paragraph "in" part 5 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Taking bribes on a large scale"). Read more here.

2020

The head of the manufacturer of medical equipment "Medpolymerprom" pleaded guilty to giving a bribe in the case of Dvorkovich's assistant

In mid-December 2020, it became known that the general director of the Medpolymerprom group of companies, Aleksei Borisov, pleaded guilty in a criminal case on bribing an official. Read more here.

The head of the Ministry of Health of the Chelyabinsk Region was detained while receiving a bribe from the manager of Johnson & Johnson

In mid-December 2020, the head of the Drug Supply Department of the Ministry of Health of the Chelyabinsk Region, Arina Ustyugova, was detained on suspicion of receiving a bribe. Read more here.

The head of the pathological department of the Botkin Hospital was arrested for a bribe

In December 2020, the Presnensky District Court of Moscow arrested the head of the pathological department of the city clinical hospital named after S.P. Botkin Oksana Paklin in the framework of a criminal case on receiving a bribe on an especially large scale. Read more here.

The head physician of the hospital in the Trans-Baikal Territory was charged with taking a bribe when purchasing medical equipment

On December 6, 2020, the Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Trans-Baikal Territory announced the indictment of Viktor Shalnev, chief physician of the state health institution "Regional Clinical Hospital" of the Trans-Baikal Territory, of committing a crime under Part 6 of Art. 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (taking a bribe on an especially large scale, for illegal actions). Read more here.

Ex-head physician of the Vladimir emergency hospital received 6 years in prison conditionally for bribes when purchasing medical equipment

Former head physician of the Vladimir emergency hospital Yevgeny Yaskin received 6 years of suspended imprisonment with a probationary period of 4 years for bribes when purchasing medical equipment. The corresponding decision at the end of November 2020 was made by the Oktyabrsky District Court of the city. Read more here.

Medtronic to pay millions for kickbacks to doctors in form of restaurant dinners

At the end of October 2020, it became known that Medtronic will pay a total of about $9.2 million for kickbacks to doctors in the form of dinners in restaurants. Medtronic agreed to pay $8.1 million to settle charges in connection with kickbacks to a neurosurgeon from South Dakota, as well as an additional $1.11 million for refusing to provide accurate reports on these expenses. Read more here.

Former head of the Saratov Ministry of Health Natalya Mazina was accused of fraud in public procurement of ultrasound scanners worth 53 million rubles

In October 2020, the department for the investigation of especially important cases of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Saratov Region, the ex-head of the regional Ministry of Health, charged Natalya Mazina with abuse of office committed by a person holding a public position in a constituent entity of the Russian Federation (part 2 of article 285 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Read more here.

Ex-employee of the Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Health Aleksandr Sazanov sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for bribes

On October 12, 2020, the Kanavinsky District Court of Nizhny Novgorod sentenced Alexander Sazanov to 7.5 years in prison and paid a fine of 1.5 million rubles for bribery. Read more here.

A fine of 20 million rubles for bribes in public procurement

In mid-September 2020, the Maykop Magistrate's Court fined Alfa-Med 20 million rubles for participating in a corruption scheme in public procurement. Also, in order to ensure the execution of the decision on the imposition of administrative punishment, the court seized the company's property with a cadastral value of more than 8 million rubles, the press service of the Adygea prosecutor's office reports. Read more here.

US authorities caught Teva in kickbacks of $300 million for the supply of drugs for multiple sclerosis

In mid-August 2020, the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Massachusetts reported that Teva Pharmaceuticals paid kickbacks in the amount of $300 million for the supply of drugs for multiple sclerosis with the help of charitable foundations. As a result, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Teva Neuroscience, the manufacturer of copaxon, were able to raise the price of the drug by 329%. Read more here.

The ex-head physician of the Vladimir hospital admitted to receiving a bribe during the public procurement of a CT scanner for 72 million rubles

On June 25, 2020, the prosecutor of the Vladimir region announced that the former chief physician of the Regional Clinical Hospital Vladimira Liubov Bykova pleaded guilty to receiving a bribe of about 1.5 million rubles for violations during the auction for the national project "Healthcare." Read more here.

Cardinal Health punished for bribes to government executives

In mid-March 2020, Cardinal Health agreed to pay more than $8.8 million for bribes paid to public hospital officials and employees of state-owned retailers for the purchase of skin care products. Read more here.

2019

The head physician of the oncological dispensary in Vladikavkaz was arrested for a bribe of 1.5 million rubles

In December 2019, the chief physician of the republican oncological dispensary in Vladikavkaz was arrested for a bribe of 1.5 million rubles. He was detained red-handed, Interfax reports with reference to the press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for the North Caucasus Federal District. Read more here.

The head of the department of the medical institution in Omsk will pay 3 million rubles for bribes from the supplier of medical devices

At the end of November 2019, it became known that the head of the department of a medical institution in Omsk would pay a fine for bribes from a supplier of medical devices. The corresponding verdict was made by the Central District Court of Omsk. Read more here.

How Stryker bribed officials to sell medical equipment

In late October 2019, the Federal Ministry health care Mexico sued Stryker, accusing the company of bribing officials from the Mexican Social Security Institute to make illegal profits. More. here

5 years in prison for bribes in the supply of medical products

At the end of August 2019, the former acting head of the State Institution "Center for Maintenance and Operation of Buildings and Structures of the Ministry of Health of the Tula Region" Sergey Antsibor was sentenced to five years of general regime for receiving a bribe from a supplier of medical devices. Read more here.

The ex-head of the service operator of the Tula Ministry of Health was sent to jail for bribes when supplying medical products

At the end of August 2019, the former acting head of the State Institution "Center for Maintenance and Operation of Buildings and Structures of the Ministry of Health of the Tula Region" Sergey Antsibor was sentenced to five years of general regime for receiving a bribe from a supplier of medical devices. Read more here.

Philips Healthcare fired an employee who reported bribes and continued to give them

At the end of August 2019, it became known that Philips Healthcare fired an employee who reported to managers about suspicious sales of medical devices in Brazil back in 2010. After that, the company simply continued to pay bribes. Read more here.

GE, Philips and Siemens employees told how they bribe doctors for the supply of medical equipment

In mid-June 2019, employees of GE, Philips and Siemens testified in a Chinese court about bribing low-paid hospital employees for purchasing medical devices of these companies.

Western manufacturers of medical equipment also struck deals involving third-party contractors who bribed hospital workers and demanded kickbacks from hospitals even after contractors admitted bribery in court.

New York Times journalists conducted their own investigation: they reviewed dozens of court cases and internal corporate documents in China and interviewed employees of companies. They reported that bribes to doctors at China's state hospitals and the health sector included golf club memberships, luxury watches and cash.

In one case, in 2016, two GE sales representatives offered the administrator of a Chinese hospital named Wu Dagong more than $1 million if he secured the purchase of a CT scanner for $4 million. The same administrator accepted $220,000 in cash in a suitcase that one of the sales representatives left in his car. Wu Dagon was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In 2018, an investigation by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung uncovered dozens of cases in which employees and sales representatives of Siemens, GE and Philips were accused of bribery. One or more intermediaries often worked directly with the chief doctors of hospitals, setting prices, bribes and kickbacks. Typically, the price of the product became 50% or more higher when involving a third-party distributor.

In cases reviewed by the New York Times, Western companies did not end up on the defendants' bench as prosecutors tried to crack down on corruption by Chinese officials. For example, a Siemens sales representative in 2016 testified about paying almost $900,000 to the chief physician of a hospital in Qinzhou to ensure the sale of an MRI scanner. The chief medical officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison. A representative of Siemens, which in court documents is called only under a pseudonym, received three years in prison. The case was covered in detail in the state-run newspaper The Legal Evening News, which also reported 19 other bribery cases involving Siemens employees or contractors between 2014 and 2015.

In another 2016 case, Gao Xuezhong, president of a hospital in Anhui province, was convicted of taking bribes from a Siemens sales contractor and a Siemens sales manager. The bribes included cash as well as homes for the president's wife and daughter. Thanks to these frauds, an MRI machine worth $1.3 million was sold for $1.7 million. The difference was taken by intermediaries. Gao Xuezhong was sentenced to 11 years in prison. When Siemens launched an investigation into the intermediary, he refused to cooperate and resigned.

Siemens, GE, Philips and other medical equipment companies believe that most of the bribes settle in the hands of intermediaries, with whom they are often forced to work by hospitals. The companies claim to comply with Chinese and international laws and fire employees and contractors whose guilt has been proven in court. However, Meng-Lin Liu, former chief compliance officer for Siemens' China division, said device makers are well aware of bribery in their circles. Liu claims he was fired for talking about corruption, but although he filed a lawsuit against Siemens in 2013, the court did not recognize his charges.^[2]

Siemens, General Electric and Philips convicted of bribing officials when selling medical equipment

On May 17, 2019, it became known that the FBI was investigating over alleged bribes that were given by Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, General Electric and Philips to  sell their medical equipment in Brazil.

According to the Reuters news agency, citing two Brazilian investigators, the prosecutor's office suspects these manufacturers of medical equipment of kickbacks to officials in order to conclude contracts under state health programs.

According to the investigation, bribery of officials in Brazil lasted for 20 years. In some cases, thanks to bribes, the prices of the supplied equipment exceeded the market by eight times. Among the equipment sold in this way are devices for magnetic resonance imaging and devices for prosthetics.

In addition to possible punishment in Brazil, companies also found themselves in the spotlight of the American authorities - since 1977, the United States has had a federal law on countering foreign corruption practices (FCPA), which provides for administrative and criminal liability for bribery of foreign officials.

According to Reuters in Johnson & Johnson, the company received relevant requests from the investigation in 2018 and is actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies. Philips believes that "the American authorities often show interest in such issues and it is too early to draw any conclusions." Siemens reported that "they are not aware of any FBI investigation related to the activities of cartels in Brazil." 

Brazilian federal prosecutor Marisa Ferrari confirmed to the agency that officials from the Justice Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are involved in the investigation.^[3]

Fresenius paid bribes to the head physician of the Minsk hospital for the supply of equipment

On May 14, 2019, the court of the Moskovsky district of Minsk began to consider a criminal case against the former head physician of the 9th clinical hospital Valery Kushnirenko, who was detained for bribes, including from Fresenius. Read more here.

2017:49% of patients in hospitals in Russia pay bribes

According to the Independent Institute for Social Policy (NISP), in 2017, Russians paid the most "in hand" for treatment and stay in a hospital (up to 49% of respondents), in second place "in popularity" is a visit to a health worker (about 25%), and in third - dental services, including prosthetics (12%). However, the director of the NISP Sergey Shishkin in the discussion, which took place in St. Petersburg in June 2019, emphasized that these are conditional estimates that only illustrate the medical realities of Russia and are provoked, on the one hand, by the patient's desire to get help "faster and better" and save (since we often give less to our hands than at the box office), and on the other hand, low salaries and the perception of the profession as a tool for maximizing income from a doctor. At the same time, the basis of material gratitude is the argument "so accepted."

"We have a supposedly voluntary gratitude system, which is not only safe for the doctor, since he is paid voluntarily, but also gives the patient a sense of confidence:" gratitude "in this case is regarded as a guarantor of successful treatment. A vivid example is the experience of my friend, who thanked the doctor for the operation taken on loan $1,000. I think this example clearly guesses all the components of the existing medical system, "says Vadim Gushchin.

As Vadim notes, informal financial relations are observed in all segments of medical activity. In the relationship between a health care professional and a patient, she has the character of gratitude for the medical services provided.

"We do not talk about corruption in the key of ethics or morality, we say that bribes are directly related to the results of our work, that is, to the outcomes of patients," adds Vadim.

In a professional environment, the atmosphere of gratitude affects decision-making about treatment, and can also be a serious help in career growth. Fees are also paid for scientific research, and a doctor's access to certain studies can cause a "collection of thanks" - this opens him up to Western drugs and, therefore, increases his expertise in the eyes of patients.

"The phenomenon of informal payments from patients is not only a Russian problem. This practice exists even in countries with a developed system of social guarantees, for example, in the countries of the Scandinavian bloc, "emphasizes Taryan Vian, professor at Boston University.

Open discussion on corruption is a unique phenomenon for the professional medical community. For the first time, issues that were usually discussed exclusively behind the scenes became the subject of open discussion. The organizers of the session hope that this first step will receive public support and provoke serious shifts towards transparent medical care in Russia.

2016: Chiropractor in US referred patients for MRI for bribes

In May 2016, it became known that former chiropractor Alexander Dimeo from New Jersey (USA) could go to prison for bribes from other doctors for referring patients to their medical institutions.

Alexander Dimeo pleaded guilty to receiving kickbacks from the owners of private clinics, diagnostic imaging centers and other medical institutions, where the chiropractor sent his patients for examination or treatment. In the period from 2009 to 2015, he earned $254 thousand from this activity. For example, for referral to MRI centers, the latter transferred Dimeo about $27 thousand. Read more here.

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