The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that it would aggressively prosecute drug and medical device companies for bribes paid to third-party investigators to influence research data in foreign clinical trials.  The FBI's first Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) undercover investigation resulted in the indictment of 22 business executives.

Several industry giants are among the companies targeted in what the DOJ calls its "pharma initiative." Some have received letters of inquiry from federal prosecutors in Washington in May.

"Law enforcement is not simply waiting for a whistleblower or competitor to inform on a company's overseas activities," noted Jeffrey Cramer, a managing director with Kroll's Business Intelligence and Investigations practice, and former federal prosecutor who handled FCPA cases.  "The DOJ is employing tactics usually reserved for organized crime investigations. It is clear the FCPA landscape has changed."

"Kroll is able to provide companies with the necessary assurance on how to protect themselves from FCPA violations," Cramer added.  "We conduct anti-corruption investigations and due diligence in order to identify any red flags."