LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - U.S. drugmaker Bristol-MyersSquibb said on Tuesday it had stopped "certaininitiatives" in China, when asked by Reuters to comment onindustry chatter it was curbing financial incentives forprescribing doctors.
Payments to healthcare professionals in China are underintense scrutiny after GlaxoSmithKline was slapped witha record $490 million fine for bribery in 2014.
Industry sources cited reports on Chinese social media thatBristol-Myers had announced a clampdown on the use of expensesand speaker fees for doctors.
Reuters could not immediately verify the reports but acompany spokesman said in an emailed statement: "Bristol-MyersSquibb has voluntarily stopped certain initiatives in China asthe company continues to review its activities and build uponits business model in China."
Last October, Bristol-Myers agreed to pay $14 million tosettle U.S. Securities and Exchange claims its joint venture inChina made cash payments and provided other benefits tohealthcare providers in China in exchange for prescriptionsales. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Martinne Geller)