MANILA, Philippines — The Bell-Kenz pharmaceutical firm doesn’t use the multi-level advertising (MLM) scheme and sells medicines at a decrease price in comparison with different manufacturers, heart specialist and chief government officer Dr. Luis Raymond Go stated.
At yesterday’s public listening to of the Senate committee on well being, Go denied allegations that Bell-Kenz provides medical doctors commissions within the type of money or high-end vehicles and different luxurious items in trade for prescribing Bell-Kenz medicines.
He additionally emphasised that Bell-Kenz has made costs of upkeep medicines decrease with vital financial savings.
“People who find themselves affected by hypertension, diabetes and coronary illnesses will solely have to spend P128.15 every day, saving you P445.50 to P4,600.50 month-to-month and P11,286 to P55,206 yearly,” he stated.
Proven a Bell-Kenz verify paid by a health care provider, Go clarified that the verify is just not a fee or an incentive however a reduction for immediate fee of ordered medicines for the stated physician, who additionally owns a number of pharmacies.
He additionally clarified that the Mercedes Benz raised by the senators as proof of incentive or fee to a health care provider who buys from Bell-Kenz was purchased from the corporate.
Go stated the “misinformed” and “unfounded” allegations towards their agency “hurts the credibility and integrity of the medical occupation” and “undermines public belief in well being care.”
“I unequivocally state that Bell-Kenz is a law-abiding firm adhering to the principles of the Meals and Drug Administration, the Securities and Trade Fee, the Philippine Medical Affiliation and different related governing our bodies,” he stated.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada questioned Go in regards to the perks their firm was giving to medical doctors, to which the pharma official replied, “We give them persevering with medical schooling regionally and overseas and typically we offer them clinic gear.”
“Journeys overseas?” Estrada requested.
Go stated sure, however maintained there have been no vehicles and cash and costly wristwatches like Rolex.
Estrada stated he was not satisfied that the perks had been solely journeys overseas and easy items as paperwork he gathered indicated that there have been medical doctors who acquired SUVs and costly vehicles.
“Would you like me to say the names of those medical doctors based mostly in Bulacan driving Maserrati, whereas the opposite cardiologists based mostly in Baguio Metropolis has BMW, Audi and different SUVs?” stated Estrada.
The senator stated they don’t have any drawback with the standard of medication bought by Bell-Kenz, however even when the affected person doesn’t want it, Bell-Kenz allegedly prescribes the drugs to earn money.
Go, who’s a heart specialist on the Philippine Coronary heart Middle, admitted that his prescription medication was 90 p.c from Bell-Kenz, a apply that the senator thought-about as a battle of curiosity.
Estrada instructed Go to undergo the Senate the listing of their members and medicines which are manufactured or imported overseas.
Skilled Regulation Fee (PRC) chief Jose Cueto Jr. stated if the accusations are true, Republic Act 2382 accommodates a provision that violation of the code of ethics of the medical occupation is likely one of the grounds for reprimand, suspension or revocation of license.
“We, at this cut-off date, can’t give categorical solutions however as I stated, it will be based mostly on the proof that might be gathered. So we have now sufficient provisions of the regulation that can be utilized as a foundation by the board of medication that may examine,” he stated.
Well being Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stated, “If the present is that this exorbitant, license revocation is as much as the PRC.”
“Medical doctors should not allowed to promote medication if they don’t have a pharmacy license,” he added, saying that medical doctors are additionally not allowed to prescribe medication that might be purchased from them.
Senate committee on well being chairman Sen. Bong Go stated the Senate will maintain these accountable for what appears to be the exploitation of sufferers, who’re compelled to comply with medical doctors’ prescriptions although they’re costlier than different medication.
“The issue right here is that therapy has turn into a enterprise, not a well being curiosity. Earning profits. In the long run, your sufferers, particularly the poor, are the losers. That’s why I stated, when our medical doctors prescribe, they need to prioritize what is going to heal and enhance the affected person, prioritize what is going to deal with the affected person,” he famous.
Physician and public well being advocate Antonio Leachon has described the “prescription on the market” controversy of the Bell-Kenz pharmaceutical firm as the largest medical corruption in fashionable instances.
