The AstraZeneca insurance fraud scandal is escalating. On the evening of the month, AstraZeneca China's official website announced that Wang Lei, Global Executive Vice President, Chairman of International Business, and President of China, is currently in China cooperating with the investigation.

In [month] [year], the Shenzhen Medical Security Bureau, based on a tip-off, exposed the alleged fraudulent behavior of some employees of AstraZeneca, which involved the company's star lung cancer drug, Tagrisso. In response to the situation where employees of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. were suspected of altering the genetic testing results of cancer patients to defraud the medical insurance fund, the head of the fund supervision department of the National Healthcare Security Administration stated in [month] [year] that, based on preliminary clues from the public, the National Healthcare Security Administration had urged the establishment of a joint task force in Shenzhen, consisting of medical insurance, public security, health, and market supervision departments, to conduct an in-depth investigation into the case. All suspects have been approved for arrest.

However, over the past three years, the trend of fraudulent insurance claims has escalated, with the number of investigated individuals increasing. Recently, Yin Min, Chief Commercial Officer of BeiGene Greater China, has also been cooperating with relevant investigations. According to informed sources, Yin Min's cooperation in the investigation is related to her previous tenure at AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, four core executives of Ruiant Gene, including the chairman, have been criminally detained. Ruiant Gene has also had business dealings with AstraZeneca in the past. In the year, AstraZeneca was one of Ruiant Gene's top five customers.

Wang Lei, the head of AstraZeneca China who is cooperating with the investigation this time, is a symbolic figure both within AstraZeneca China and among multinational pharmaceutical companies in China. In 2013, AstraZeneca recruited Wang Lei, a professional manager, as the head of the digestive, respiratory, and anesthesia business units. Despite having no pharmaceutical background and being a former tour guide who had worked at Roche, Wang was promoted to President of AstraZeneca Greater China within just one year. Four years later, he was promoted to Global Executive Vice President, breaking the long-standing glass ceiling for Chinese employees in multinational pharmaceutical companies. Under Wang Lei's leadership, AstraZeneca once became the top-earning multinational pharmaceutical company in China.

In multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in China, AstraZeneca China is also known for its "wolf-like" approach. The extent to which this investigation involving Wang Lei will impact AstraZeneca China's business remains to be seen. AstraZeneca has stated that AstraZeneca China is operating normally under the leadership of the current general manager. If required, AstraZeneca will fully cooperate with the investigation.