Novartis ex-staffer alleges harassment for raising voice against unethical practices

Hyderabad: A former employee of Novartis Pharma has alleged that he was harassed by his managers for raising his voice against unethical practices in the company.

Dr Peter Pothula, who worked as pharmaco vigilance scientist said that he was threatened by his superiors to confine himself to his home and was later terminated without reason.

He said he approached the courts and the police in vain and also wrote a letter to the President seeking permission for mercy killing.

Dr Peter Pothula, a native of Kadapa and an alumni of IIM Bengaluru joined Novartis Healthcare, one of the world's leading companies, as a Pharmaco Vigilance scientist in 2012. In 2014 he got promotion and received the company's global appreciation award for his ideas.

Dr Peter said that during a one to one meeting with the team manager he informed him about the unethical practices, bias and favouritism in the company. “He did not like my statements and told it the operational manager and HR. The operational manager warned me not to repeat it,” he said.

Dr Peter said that in September 2014 he questioned his manager regarding an award given to his close friend for quality checking of a document and filed a complaint against the unethical practices including suicide abetment.

“Suspecting something fishy in work allotment I took the issue to the site head. But I was told that I will lose my job. Later, I told this to the business processing officer. Since then I was barred from entering my office and my ID card and laptop were also seized,” he added.

He said that later they called him to submit a tax declaration, assaulted him and forced him to submit resignation. “The reason I was told to quit is that I prepared a review on a research project and showed it to my manager. But citing that I did not provide any reference for the review and alleging that I violated copyright law I was dismissed,” said Dr Paul Pothula.

Based on his complaint the court asked the police to register a case. Unable to bear the financial burden he submitted a petition to permit mercy killing.
Novartis clarified saying that it respected the rights of individuals to exercise available legal rights. “Novartis has received a notice dated September 3, 2015 from the Hyderabad High Court regarding a case filed by a former employee. Since this case is under consideration of the court it would be inappropriate for Novartis to discuss the case,” said a Novartis spokesperson. He said Novartis had a robust internal investigation process which maintains high ethical standards.