In 2003, Dinesh Thakur joined the Indian pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy. Thakur, who went on to become the company’s director, uncovered fraudulent practices at the company in drug development, manufacturing, and testing. He was forced to resign in 2005 after exposing the unsafe practices and violations. It wasn’t until 2013 that Ranbaxy finally pleaded guilty to seven charges and paid a massive fine of $500 million. The case was only possible due to whistle-blower protection legislation in the United States.

Thakur was able to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Justice to expose widespread malpractices. What are the incentives and protective measures offered to whistleblowers in your country? How might the involvement of an organization like the FDA help?