US House Committee Launches Investigation into Merck and AbbVie Over China Drug Trials

A US House committee has opened an investigation into Merck and AbbVie regarding clinical drug trials in China with alleged ties to the Chinese military, according to Reuters. The House China panel is also questioning Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb about their trial site selections and oversight in the country as of June 30, 2026.

The probe focuses on whether pharmaceutical companies utilized trial sites connected to the People’s Liberation Army or other military-affiliated institutions. According to reports from Reuters and qz.com, the committee is examining the relationship between these US drugmakers and the facilities where clinical research was conducted.

Why is the House China panel investigating these drug trials?

The investigation seeks to determine if US pharmaceutical firms are inadvertently supporting the Chinese military through their research partnerships. According to qz.com, the committee is investigating ties between drug trials and military-linked entities, a concern that aligns with broader US government scrutiny of China’s civil-military fusion strategy.

Lawmakers are questioning the vetting processes used by these companies to select trial sites. Pharmaphorum reports that drugmakers have been asked to defend the legitimacy and independence of their Chinese trial sites to ensure that sensitive data or resources are not being diverted to military use.

Which pharmaceutical companies are under scrutiny?

Merck and AbbVie are the primary subjects of the investigation, according to Reuters. The committee is specifically probing the nature of their trial operations within China to identify any overlap with military institutions.

The scope of the inquiry extends beyond those two firms. Endpoints News reports that the House China panel has also sent questions to Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb. These inquiries focus on the specific locations of their trial sites and the internal controls these companies use to monitor those sites.

How does this investigation affect clinical trial operations?

The probe introduces additional regulatory and political risk for US companies operating in the Chinese pharmaceutical market. Stat News reports that the focus on trial sites is part of a wider pattern of scrutiny regarding how US biotech and pharmaceutical entities engage with Chinese infrastructure.

If the committee identifies systemic failures in site vetting, it could lead to new mandates for how US companies report their overseas clinical activities. The investigation examines whether the current oversight provided by companies is sufficient to prevent the exploitation of medical research by foreign military entities.

The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on Chinese trial sites due to the country’s large patient populations and evolving clinical infrastructure. However, the current House investigation suggests that the geopolitical risks associated with these sites may now outweigh some of the operational advantages.