Has the UK Bribery Act Had Any Effect Yet?

Investigations into GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) executives in both China and Poland could constitute offenses under the UK Bribery Act if the allegations are true. At issue in China is the accusation that the former head of GSK operations in China, British executive Mark Reilly, had bribed doctors and hospital officials to use GSK's products. In Poland, revelations that a former sales representative for GSK had paid doctors to promote an asthma drug produced by GSK have also come to light.

Faegre Baker Daniels partner Melanie Wadsworth, who has considerable expertise in advising overseas clients, authored an article for Real Business in which she explained how the GSK controversies could play out in Britain. While the offenses, if found to be true, would constitute violations of the UK Bribery Act, there has yet to be a significant prosecution under the Act in its three year history. Wadsworth also explained how the GSK investigation might affect deferred prosecution agreements (DPA) which came into force in February 2014.