Greek govt files 214-mln€ lawsuit against Novartis for kickbacks, bribery

Greece’s health minister, an attorney by training, on Friday announced that the Greek state can filed a 214 million euros lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Novartis for damages.

Minister Thanos Plevris said the lawsuit stems directly from the admission, by Novartis that its Greek subsidiary paid kickbacks to physicians and officials of Greek state hospitals and clinics. The Swiss multinational made the statement reached with the US Justice Department.

Plevris also said the Greek state reserves the right to file another lawsuit in demand of any further damages, while noting that all sanctions envisioned under law will be imposed on the “big pharma” company.

The settlement between the US Justice Department and Novartis is HERE.