Sanofi probing alleged bribery in Africa, Middle East

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi said Monday that it initiated a probe into alleged bribery by company officials in the Middle East and Africa to healthcare workers.

Sanofi said it hired "experienced external counsel" to investigate anonymous allegations of "wrongdoing related to improper payments to healthcare professionals in connection with the sale of pharmaceutical products" in the Middle East and Africa between 2007 and 2012.

It also alerted officials with the US Justice Department and US Securities and Exchange Commission about the investigation.

The two US agencies enforce the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bars payments or gifts to foreign government officials to win business.

"The investigation is still ongoing and is expected to take some time given that the allegations date back seven years," Sanofi said.