Picture by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino-owned pharmaceutical firm denied allegations of a multi-level advertising and marketing (MLM) on Tuesday, however admitted offering incentives to medical doctors who prescribed its medicines to their sufferers.
Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. Chief Government Officer Luis Raymond Go described the claims as “misinformation” and mentioned the agency, owned by a bunch of medical doctors, adhered to authorities allegations.
“I stand earlier than this august meeting to vehemently refuse these baseless allegations and reaffirm our unwavering dedication to integrity and compliance,” Go, who can also be a visiting heart specialist on the state-run Philippine Coronary heart Heart, mentioned throughout a listening to of the Senate panel on well being and demography.
“We’re a law-abiding pharmaceutical entity diligently adhering to all rules set forth by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), the Securities and Trade Fee (SEC), the Philippine Medical Affiliation (PMA), and different related governing our bodies,” he added.
Bell-Kenz Pharma was based in 2006. The corporate’s product lineup consists of anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medicines, antibiotics, and well being dietary supplements.
In a privilege speech on Monday, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada mentioned the pharmaceutical agency “shamelessly recruits medical doctors, engaging them with guarantees of exorbitant commissions and lavish incentives in trade for prescribing their medicines.”
Estrada claimed that Bell-Kenz Pharma has been offering rebates of as much as P2 million, primarily based on month-to-month productiveness.
“We give them persevering with medical training regionally and overseas. Typically we additionally present them with clinic tools,” Go mentioned.
He, nevertheless, rejected allegations that the agency offers cash, luxurious vehicles and costly watches.
Well being Secretary Teodoro Herbosa instructed senators he was unaware of the alleged MLM scheme till the difficulty was just lately introduced up.
“What I knew have been journeys to international conferences, and doubtless meals in costly eating places. However this scheme the place prescriptions are counted, and quotas are made, that multi-level advertising and marketing, I solely realized about that now,” Herbosa mentioned in Filipino.
Final week, the Division of Well being (DOH) issued a memorandum reminding healthcare staff that accepting items from pharmaceutical firms in trade for selling their merchandise is unethical.
“Societal pressures, monetary positive factors and administrative exigencies shall not compromise the rights of the affected person to high quality healthcare service,” the memorandum learn.
