Friday, April 13, 2007

Interview with AstraZeneca "Group of Seven" Whistleblower

This is an interview between Question Authority and one of the AstraZeneca whistleblowers:

QA: "I appreciate the fact that you contacted me about this story . . . but seriously, why don't you want to talk to the other big media outlets? You have one of the three national television networks asking for an interview and the biggest US newspaper also trying to find you. You could have much more impact that way."

AZ: "We will seriously consider going to the media but right now I only trust you, as a fellow whistleblower."

QA: "Have you actually mailed your Open letter to the OIG, and have you signed with your real name?"

AZ: "We mailed, emailed, faxed and called in this information to OIG LAST MONTH to the OIG Hotline. No real names given. Just the report number. By Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) By Fax: 1-800-223-8164 By E-Mail: HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov. By Mail:Office of Inspector General Department of Health and Human Services Attn: HOTLINE 330 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20201."

QA: "Any words for your coworkers?

AZ: "It is important to note that raising a legitimate issue - in good faith - of a possible violation by others will not adversely impact you. ANY act or threat of retaliation by an employee against another in response to the disclosure of a potential policy violation will be considered a serious violation of the Code."

QA: "Do you have any other thoughts you have on this story?"

AZ: "Three more things:
1) An even bigger scandal would be if OIG did nothing and didn't care.
2) Why didn't Zubillaga's Boss, Scarlett Spring, National Sales Director Oncology, fire Zubillaga months ago?
3) Also, Mid-Atlantic Oncology Newsletter Editor District Sales Manager [Name redacted] has a history of producing newsletters for the South West Region."

QA: "So I guess there may be more to come?"

QA: "Hello?"

QA: "Anyone still there?"

END

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Peter, I understand how and what you did as a whistleblower, but don't you have to out yourself to be considered a whistleblower?

These people haven't, and with the continued support from this publicity, are digging deeper and less defensible holes for themselves.

Just asking.