LONDON, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN,NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, announces that it and its U.S. subsidiary, Smith & Nephew, Inc., have reached settlements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with their Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation of the medical device industry. Smith & Nephew has committed to pay $22,226,799 in fines and profit disgorgement, maintain an enhanced compliance programme, and appoint an independent monitor for at least 18 months to review and report on its compliance programme. The Group provided for this payment in its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Smith & Nephew and other medical device companies were asked by the SEC and DOJ in late 2007 to look into possible improper payments to government-employed doctors and voluntarily report any issues. Smith & Nephew found and reported evidence of improper payments by a distributor in Greece that had been appointed by Smith & Nephew subsidiaries and was terminated in 2008. The individuals implicated are no longer associated with the Group.

"We have what I believe to be a world-class compliance programme, having enhanced it significantly since this investigation began in 2007," commented Olivier Bohuon, Chief Executive Officer of Smith & Nephew.  "These legacy issues do not reflect Smith & Nephew today. But they underscore that we must remain vigilant every place we do business and let nothing compromise our commitment to integrity."

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives.  With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine, Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Smith & Nephew has almost 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2011 were nearly $4.3 billion.  Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN,NYSE: SNN).

Forward-looking Statements

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew