GSK's treatment in China will be a warning to others The Party's determination to win the propaganda war, however, points to the possible weaknesses in its case. Leaving aside the fact that GSK believes it is one of the cleanest firms in the sector, the price of 41 of its portfolio of highly specialised drugs are set by the government. So, if prices have been dramatically raised, the government officials responsible should also be named. And as for exploiting the Chinese consumer, GSK spent £120m on a manufacturing facility in China in order to bring down the local price of its bestselling individual drug, the Hepatitis B antidote Heptodin. GSK's other top sellers are vaccines, Seretide asthma medication and the Seroxat antidepressant. Rather than being mass-market, they are targeted at rich Chinese in private hospitals, which is why GSK is only the 14th largest pharma company in China by market share. Having come so far, however, the Chinese government will not turn back. GSK's executives are likely to serve long prison sentences for their alleged crimes. And while China remains a tiny fraction of the company's overall business, the fate of its Chinese staff will be devastating to the board. It will also serve as a warning for others. Bostock exit no more than embarrassing Hiring Kate Bostock was always a risk for Asos, and so it has proved. Bostock was retail royalty who held key roles at Marks & Spencer, George and Next, while Asos was the young pretender with disruptive technology looking to dethrone the established retailers. In the end, it has proved an irreparable clash of cultures. Although the departure of Bostock, 56, after six months is an embarrassment to her and Asos, which made a considerable effort to attract the former M&S executive and created a new role for her, it does not have to be anything more than that. Bostock's CV means there will be suitors. As for Asos, its last trading update showed sales growing 43pc. Nick Robertson, chief executive, may regret the big-name hiring of Bostock, but a swift exit was probably the best outcome for both parties.