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Advocates Philippines
Senate Committee Probes Alleged Collusion Between Pharma Company And Doctors
FILE
In a session led by Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, the Committee on Health and Demography delved into a series of bills aimed at fortifying the healthcare system through hospital establishment and upgrades. However, the spotlight quickly shifted to a contentious issue involving alleged collusion between pharmaceutical giant Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. and certain doctors, shedding light on a potential threat to public health integrity.
Go, chairing the session, emphasized the precarious position that indigent Filipinos find themselves in due to unscrupulous practices in the healthcare sector. He underscored the importance of protecting patients' rights and ensuring the integrity of medical prescriptions. "We cannot afford to erode public trust in our healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies due to the actions of a few unethical individuals," Sen. Go remarked.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo intensified the inquiry by presenting evidence suggesting a multi-level marketing scheme between Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. and implicated doctors. Despite initial denials from Bell-Kenz representatives, Sen. Tulfo revealed bank checks indicating financial incentives exchanged between the company and doctors, fueling concerns over the integrity of medical decisions.
Echoing Go's sentiments, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada urged swift action from the Department of Health (DOH) to address the unethical practices tarnishing the medical profession. He emphasized the sacred trust between doctors and patients, calling for a renewed commitment to the Hippocratic oath.
Meanwhile, Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito raised alarms about the potential financial repercussions of such collusion, warning that it could inflate healthcare costs for ordinary citizens. He lamented the setback this poses to legislative efforts aimed at making healthcare more affordable, citing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act's mandate to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
As the Senate Committee on Health and Demography continues its investigation, the spotlight remains on safeguarding the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship and restoring public confidence in the healthcare system.
Go, chairing the session, emphasized the precarious position that indigent Filipinos find themselves in due to unscrupulous practices in the healthcare sector. He underscored the importance of protecting patients' rights and ensuring the integrity of medical prescriptions. "We cannot afford to erode public trust in our healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies due to the actions of a few unethical individuals," Sen. Go remarked.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo intensified the inquiry by presenting evidence suggesting a multi-level marketing scheme between Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. and implicated doctors. Despite initial denials from Bell-Kenz representatives, Sen. Tulfo revealed bank checks indicating financial incentives exchanged between the company and doctors, fueling concerns over the integrity of medical decisions.
Echoing Go's sentiments, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada urged swift action from the Department of Health (DOH) to address the unethical practices tarnishing the medical profession. He emphasized the sacred trust between doctors and patients, calling for a renewed commitment to the Hippocratic oath.
Meanwhile, Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito raised alarms about the potential financial repercussions of such collusion, warning that it could inflate healthcare costs for ordinary citizens. He lamented the setback this poses to legislative efforts aimed at making healthcare more affordable, citing the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act's mandate to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
As the Senate Committee on Health and Demography continues its investigation, the spotlight remains on safeguarding the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship and restoring public confidence in the healthcare system.
Apr 30, 2024
