Sinopharm executives face corruption probe in China

China's largest drug distributor, state-owned Sinopharm, has become the most high profile domestic group to face corruption charges, which have so far largely focussed on foreign drug majors, most notably the UK’s GlaxoSmithKline (The Pharma Letters passim).

According to the latest reports, Sinopharm as said two of its former senior executives are being investigated over alleged corruption. A former vice president was detained by police last week, while a former general manager is also being probed.

In a statement filed with the Hong Kong stock exchange on Sunday, Sinopharm said its former vice president, Shi Jinming, had resigned last month for "personal reasons." It said he was detained last week by Shanghai prosecutors for "an investigation in relation to an allegation of corruption against him".