US probes claims pharma giants' actions helped Iraq insurgency

WASHINGTON: US investigators are probing claims AstraZeneca and other medical giants that worked with the Iraqi government between 2005 and 2009 provided drugs and supplies that would go on to be used to fund terror attacks.

In a filing with US regulators last week, AstraZeneca said it had received a US Department of Justice inquiry "in connection with an anti-corruption investigation relating to activities in Iraq."

The filing states that the probe is at least partly related to a federal lawsuit filed in October on behalf of troops who were killed or wounded in Iraq in the 2005-2009 period.

The plaintiffs allege the firms, hoping to win business in Iraq, violated the US Anti-Terrorism Act and other laws by giving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to the ministry of health when it was controlled by followers of Moqtada Sadr.

The powerful Shiite cleric, whose populist coalition triumphed at May elections, at the time ran death squads against Sunnis and is blamed for many attacks on US forces.

According to the New York Times, the lawsuit claims Sadr's followers sold the medical supplies on Iraq's black market to fund such attacks.

In a statement, AstraZeneca said it "has a robust and dynamic compliance program, and we refuse to tolerate bribery or any other form of corruption."

The other firms listed in the lawsuit are General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, as well as Roche Holding A.G.

The Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment.