HEALTH and regulatory officials on Monday said they would investigate allegations that doctor-investors at Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. were prescribing hypertension and diabetes medication that the company imports as the Senate begins hearings on the controversy today.
Officials from the Department of Health (DoH), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they would jointly investigate reports of a "pyramiding" scheme at the company and the use of luxurious gifts to entice doctors to prescribe their products.
FDA spokesman Pamela Sevilla said the investigation would be done in parallel with a Senate probe this week, scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 30.
Ahead of the hearing, the company issued a statement denying the allegations.
Sevilla said even before Sen. JV Ejercito revealed the alleged collusion between Bell-Kenz and some doctors, the FDA had already set up a meeting with the PRC and the DoH.
Sevilla said they were aware of the issue and would "make sure to address it."
On Wednesday, Ejercito said that whistleblowers would detail the alleged "pyramiding scheme" of pharmaceutical firm Bell-Kenz involving doctors at the Tuesday Senate hearing.
He expressed alarm over reports that the pharmaceutical company enticed doctors with "luxurious" gifts or incentives to prescribe their products to patients.
Ejercito, deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said he had learned of the scheme two or three months ago and researched it.
Most of the medicines being prescribed are for hypertension and diabetes, he said.
"The only problem is that there seems to be a conflict of interest and a breach of ethical standards because the whistleblowers said the doctors were prescribing drugs that they themselves were importing as owners of the company," he said in English and Filipino.
The DoH has already issued Department Circular 2024-0141, reminding all medical professionals to "uphold professional and ethical standards" following the recent reports of pharmaceutical companies giving privileges using a "multi-level marketing scheme" to entice them to advertise or prescribe medical products.
"The Department of Health (DOH) strictly reminds all doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and DOH personnel in medical centers, hospitals, and medical facilities regulated by the DOH that the acceptable gifts, grants, or any emoluments from pharmaceutical companies or members of the industry, in exchange of any act benefiting such company or member of the industry, is unethical," the circular, signed by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, reads.
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) did not confirm the practice but issued a statement reminding its members to maintain integrity and ethical practices in dealing with pharmaceutical companies.
"Today, I write to you not just as a fellow physician but as an advocate for the core principles that tether us to our noble profession, the Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession that applies to all physicians duly registered by the Professional Regulation Commission," the statement, signed by PMA president Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag, said.
"The trust that our patients place in us is the cornerstone of the physician-patient relationship. To preserve this trust, it is crucial that we maintain an unwavering commitment to moral conduct, particularly when dealing with the pharmaceutical industry. Our decisions must always be guided by the best interests of our patients rather than the influences of external entities," the statement added.
The statement also urged members to disclose any financial relationships or conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies.
Doctors were also urged to follow ethical guidelines when entering into partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry. "This includes being wary of accepting gifts or incentives that could influence clinical judgment," it said.
Members of the PMA were also expected to advocate practices and policies that prioritize patient welfare and the integrity of the medical profession over the interests of any third party, including the pharmaceutical industry.
The Philippine College of Physicians expressed its support for the DoH reminders to doctors, nurses and medical professionals.
"The Philippine College of Physicians is one with the DOH in strongly advocating for adherence to these ethical guidelines and will take necessary measures to ensure compliance. Upholding these principles is paramount to maintaining public trust in the health care system and ensuring that the care provided is both effective and ethically sound," the statement signed by Dr. Rontgene Solante, PCP president, said.
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