Novartis

If one could channel all the psychological strain, the tension and the passion generated by the Novartis bribery case into some growth-inducing goal instead, the results would be impressive.

Addressing a press conference in Athens on Friday, European Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos condemned a prosecutors' report alleging that Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis bribed Greek politicians as a "conspiracy" and slander." 

The claims "undermine democracy and institutions," Avramopoulos said, expressing his confidence that the "criminal activity" will be exposed.

Addressing a press conference in Athens on Friday, European Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos condemned a prosecutors' report alleging that Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis bribed Greek politicians as a "conspiracy" and slander." 

The claims "undermine democracy and institutions," Avramopoulos said, expressing his confidence that the "criminal activity" will be exposed.

A prosecutors' report alleging that Swiss drugs manufacturer Novartis bribed Greek government officials has turned into a headache for the leftist-led government with SYRIZA's political council failing again on Thursday night to decide on the next step. 

The testimonies of three anonymous witnesses upon which the alleged Novartis bribery case has been built is full of inconsistencies and gray areas, according to reports on Wednesday. 

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos on Wednesday urged authorities to shed full light on an alleged medical bribery scandal, adding that accusations against him were politically motivated.

Konstantinos Frouzis, who served as vice president of Novartis Greece, has denounced the alleged medical bribery scandal involving the Swiss drug-maker as a "gross farce," while calling for the case file to be made public.

"This grose farce that we've been experiencing in recent days will soon come to an end," Frouzis wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

The case file of the medical bribery scandal that has rocked the Greek political establishment is primarily based on the testimony of three people who have been included in a witness protection program.

Reports on Tuesday said that, so far, the witnesses claims have not been substantiated by additional evidence. 

Opposition New Democracy has accused the left-led government of interfering with the course of an investigation into allegation that Swiss drug firm Novartis paid bribes in Greece to receive preferential treatment.

As a cross-party parliamentary committee prepares to investigate instances of corruption in Greece's health sector, Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis said that a scandal embroiling the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis and thousands of Greek doctors and health professionals, "surpasses" the notorious Siemens cash-for-contracts affair.