Patients and the government had to foot the bill for these expensive drugs. The health of patients might also be at stake as some doctors had the incentive to prescribe excessive amounts to get more kickbacks.

GSK's practices eroded its corporate integrity and could cause irreparable damage to the company in China and elsewhere. The case is a warning to other multinationals in China that ethics matter. Increasingly attractive to foreign investors, more and more companies see China as their most important market.

These investors should learn to respect the Chinese market, at the very least by providing quality products at reasonable prices, abandoning discrimination and honoring their due social responsibilities.

For those profiteers, the market will eventually make its own choice.

GSK revamps sales reps' compensation

GSK denies it is considering leaving China

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GSK's China sales may be down 30% on bribery scandal	Police reveals more about GSK China's violations