Bribery scandal Novartis, a commission is requested
Those concerned speak of a shameful conspiracy against them
ATHENS - After a long and very heated debate, the Greek parliament decided in the early hours of this morning to set up a commission of inquiry to shed light on the affair of the bribes that were allegedly paid over the course of a decade by the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis to numerous politicians foreground. Those concerned speak of a shameful conspiracy against them.
"Does anyone doubt the opaque practices of this company?" Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked in the courtroom, referring to the Rhineland group. In his view Novartis has 
illegally paid thousands of doctors to prescribe its preparations, helped to manipulate the price of its products and laundered money through dubious medical congresses. "Justice will be done," promised the leader of Syriza, the coalition of the radical left.
A large majority of deputies expressed themselves in favor of the commission, requested by the accused politicians themselves, who aim to see their role and their name rehabilitated.
Witnesses protected by justice – Greek and American investigators are active in the dossier – accuse Novartis of having bribed ten prominent political figures, causing a squandering of public funds. Between 2006 and 2015, the company allegedly paid bribes (a figure of 50 million euros has been advanced) to raise the prices of its drugs on the Greek market and to have them purchased by the national health service for public hospitals.
Among others, the former prime ministers Antonis Samaras and Panagiotis Pikrammenos, the European commissioner for internal affairs Dimitris Avrampoulos (former health minister) and the current governor of the Bank of Greece Yannis Stournaras are among the targets. They are joined by six other ministers or deputy ministers.
In parliament, Tsipras argued that what happened cost Greece 3 billion euros and promised that he will do everything possible to hold those responsible - members of the conservative and socialist governments in power before 2015 - held accountable for their acts.
For its part, last week Novartis announced that an internal investigation had been launched into the case. "We are determined to fully understand the situation and, where appropriate, to take responsibility for all activities that have failed to meet our high standards of ethical conduct," the company said. The group has also been cooperating for 14 months with the Greek and American authorities.
The politicians involved deny the allegations and believe that we are dealing with a vast smear campaign. They argue that the Tsipras government wants to divert attention from the serious financial crisis. Former Prime Minister Samaras spoke of an intrigue and the "biggest conspiracy since the founding of modern Greece".
According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the share of drug purchases in total health expenditure in Greece rose from 24% to 31% between 2006 and 2011, before declining again to 26% in 2015 following pressure from international creditors.
According to legal experts, the affair, in addition to shaking Greek politics, could lead to disputes that will last several months if not years.
