House panel launches probe into Bristol Myers and Pfizer's China trial sites

A congressional committee has opened an inquiry into the use of clinical trial sites in China by Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer.

The panel is focusing on facilities that the committee chair says may be linked to the Chinese military, raising concerns about data integrity and compliance with U.S. regulations.

Lawmakers have requested documentation and may hold hearings to assess whether the companies' practices comply with export controls and ethical standards.

The investigation could affect ongoing and future drug development programs that rely on Chinese sites, and may prompt companies to review their trial site selection processes.