Singapore: GlaxoSmithKline revealed that the shortcoming that it faced in China with respect to drug research in China in the past, have now been fixed. The statement came soon after the company made certain internal changes and said that the sacking of its China R&D head, Dr Jiangwu Zang in June has helped the firm in this regard.

The company further explained that it identified many deficiencies through a 2011 internal audit into its Shanghai research and development center.

However, a follow-up audit a year later had awarded the highest possible rating to the company's Chinese research facility, where neurology drugs are developed, a GSK spokesman pointed out.

"Where we find that systems or controls need to be strengthened, or individual misconduct has occurred, we take the appropriate corrective action or disciplinary action as quickly and decisively as possible," GSK spokesman added.

GSK's chief executive, Dr Andrew Witty, is expected to address the company's problems in China when he presents second-quarter results on July 24.