Compliance

A recent ruling has weakened Hong Kong's anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, limiting its enforcement power to its borders. The FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and anti-corruption laws of most other Asia-Pac countries stand in contrast to this position, holding perpetrators responsible for corruption wherever they're located.

According to a recent Ernst and Young survey, 67 percent of professionals questioned believe improving the GRC system within their companies should be high priority. There are three key areas to focus on if your firm's governance, risk management and compliance functions need bolstering. Jim Nortz, of Ethics Advisory Services, breaks them down.

With ever-changing legislation and ever-increasing regulatory scrutiny, the role of the CCO is continually evolving. Corporate compliance officers served once upon a time as compliance cops, but the scope of the role has grown over the last several years so that now CCOs must be champions within their organizations of a culture of compliance and ethics and more...

This summer, the FDA released guidance on how drug and device manufacturers are to use social media within the boundaries of appropriate marketing practices. It can be pretty tricky to present product benefits right alongside risk information - or respond to misinformation voiced by a third party - in the space of 140 characters. But the OIG is watching...

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court upholds individual's privacy in the course of an arrest by restricting officers from searching the arrestee's cell phone without a first obtaining a warrant. This is a huge stride in data privacy during an era when it seems little remains out of Big Brother's reach. It's also a reminder that companies should take...

The GSK China scandal came to light through a sex tape, and the anonymous whistleblower who leaked the tape also presented allegations of bribery. GSK's own investigation into the matter has failed to net anything of substance, but the Chinese government has turned up a great deal of evidence pointing to massive systemic bribery.

CIOs must take the lead on IT governance as a means to align the IT division's efforts with the overarching business strategy. But effective IT governance is more than measurement, oversight and the implementation of best practices. The most effective programs facilitate awareness and behavioral change throughout the organization.

An E&C program must be effective -- not necessarily convenient. Does the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer have enough authority and autonomy? What's being reported to the Board, and does the Board have proper oversight of the E&C program? These are just some of the factors that influence the effectiveness of an E&C program.

Independent pharmacies have their work cut out for them when it comes to remaining compliant with ever-changing industry regulations. The mom and pop shops known for their personal service are subject to the same standards as their big-box counterparts. Here’s a rundown of DEA red flags and preventive measures to avoid violations.

An in-depth look at antitrust activity and litigation over the past several years, with keen insight into what’s to come. Effective compliance programs are vital, without a doubt. But if your organization is faced with an antitrust violation, don’t expect leniency from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice on those grounds.

When assessing how effective your compliance program is, step into the regulators’ shoes. What are they looking for? Current and former high-level staff at the DOJ and SEC have keen insight into the issue. Does spending line up with compliance priorities? What do the roles of your legal and compliance departments say about your commitment to compliance?

When there’s no witness to wrongdoing, it can be so much easier to justify. And there are rarely witnesses when bribes are being made. The situation gets particularly sticky when compensation is a factor; the internal discussion turns from “do I need to report this” to “what would reporting this cost me?”