It was New Year's Day 2017 in Greece, where a terrible event brought to light one of the country's biggest pharmaceutical scandals. It soon emerged that this was not a problem unique to Greece.

Main sources:

[1] Former Novartis execs cleared of Greek bribery charges https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/former-novartis-execs-cleared-greek-bribery-charges-after-years-long-investigation

[2] Greece steps up Novartis corruption probe after suicide attempt https://pmlive.com/pharma_news/greece_steps_up_novartis_corruption_probe_after_suicide_attempt_1183335/

[3] Greece Files 214-Million-Euro Lawsuit Against Novartis over Bribery https://www.occrp.org/en/news/greece-files-214-million-euro-lawsuit-against-novartis-over-bribery

[4] Greece investigates Novartis for alleged bribery - SWI swissinfo.ch https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/swiss-pharma_greece-investigates-novartis-for-alleged-bribery/42808712

[5] [PDF] NOVARTIS HELLAS SACI https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1289751/dl

[6] Justice ministry confirms legal aid requests in Greece-Novartis scandal https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/alleged-pharma-bribery_justice-ministry-confirms-legal-aid-requests-in-greece-novartis-scandal/43891262

[7] Greece Drops Anonymity for Novartis Case Whistleblowers | OCCRP https://www.occrp.org/en/news/greece-drops-anonymity-for-novartis-case-whistleblowers

[8] EU migration chief denies links to Novartis bribery scandal - France 24 https://www.france24.com/en/20180209-eu-migration-chief-denies-links-novartis-bribery-scandal

[9] Greek Competition Authority Targets Novartis for Alleged ... https://www.vbb.com/insights/greek-competition-authority-targets-novartis-for-alleged-exclusionary-behaviour-on-market-for-treatment-of-macular-diseases