Tags: Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC)
This dilemma addresses issues of conflicts of interest, and gifts and hospitality.
As senior sales manager at Zorophlain, a pharmaceutical company, it is part of Tony’s job to maintain good relationships with doctors and other procurers of medicines. He prides himself on his portfolio of clients, who have grown in importance over the years.
Occasionally he may take one out for a drink if he happens to be passing, and occasionally he will treat them to lunch out. He is very open about these meetings, and considers them part of his job.
Zorophlain has just developed a new drug, Ampisand, and all sales managers have been told that they are to prioritise the drug in their pitches, and that certain quotas have to be met, or bonuses will be slashed. Tony really needs a big contract if he is to meet the quota by the end of the month, and he calls Geoff, the partner of a large surgery, inviting him to lunch.
Over lunch, and a fine bottle of claret, Tony describes Ampisand and all its benefits, but Geoff looks sceptical, and changes the subject to rugby, and the upcoming England v Australia final. “I was desperate to go, but I was too late, they’d already sold out! Those tickets are like gold-dust!”
Later, Tony mentions Ampisand again, asking Geoff if his surgery would recommend it.
Geoff smiles broadly. “I tell you what, Tony. You see if you can get me tickets to the match, and I’ll see what I can do about your new pill.”
What should Tony do?