Czech police file charges in major corruption case involving drug prescriptions

Czech police have proposed filing charges at 66 individuals, including doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies, who they believe took part in a major corruption case that revolved around preferential treatment in handing out prescription drugs, the National Centre for Combating Organised Crime announced on Tuesday.

The police branch believes that a total of CZK 12 million was handed over by pharmaceutical company representatives to 23 doctors in the form of bribes from 2009 to 2013. Originally, police charged 151 doctors for being involved in the case, but 128 of the medical practitioners saw charges dropped after expressing regret over the crime and agreeing to pay damages to the victims, the Czech News Agency reports.

Those doctors who are still facing charges could spend up to five years in jail if convicted.