The top management of the Italian branch of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is under investigation together with more than 2900 physicians, most of whom are general practitioners.

Based on the preliminary conclusions of an inquiry by police, who collected more than 13000 hours of phone conversations in 15 Italian regions and seized several computers, 72 people have been charged with corruption (37 employees of GSK Italy and 35 physicians and health service managers).

In addition, 80 sales representatives and managers are accused of illicitly compensating doctors for agreeing to prescribe or recommend to colleagues the …