Chinese authorities summon AstraZeneca China on suspected insurance fraud

An AstraZeneca sign is seen at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China November 6, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

BEIJING, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Chinese authorities summoned officials of AstraZeneca China regarding an investigation of suspected medical insurance fraud by the company’s employees, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) said on Saturday.

The regulator of the state medical insurance fund said authorities ordered the arrest of all suspects, but did not give details of the suspected violations or the size of funds involved.

It demanded that AstraZeneca China close loopholes in supervision of marketing activities, the NHSA added.

In a statement on Friday, the company said some employees in the southern city of Shenzhen had altered or participated in altering patients’ testing reports, and were suspected of medical insurance fraud.

The NHSA and public security ministry briefed company officials on the investigation in December, it added.

“AstraZeneca China takes such employee misconduct seriously and welcomes the recommendations by the NHSA and MOPS,” it said.

Authorities will launch nationwide campaigns to stamp out fraud that involves altering genetic test results, the NHSA added, urging those responsible for such violations to turn themselves in.

Reporting by Roxanne Liu and Brenda Goh; Editing by Clarence Fernandez

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