DOH reminds ethical standards amid pharma probe
Department of Health. INQUIRER FILES
The Department of Health (DOH), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct a joint investigation into the alleged “pyramiding scheme” employed by Bell-Kenz Pharma involving doctor-investors, in parallel with the Senate probe next week, an official of the FDA said on Friday.
“We are still investigating the matter together with DOH and PRC,” Atty. Pamela Sevilla, FDA spokesperson, said.
Sevilla added that prior to the announcement by Sen. JV Ejercito revealing the alleged “collusion” of Bell-Kenz and some doctors, they had already scheduled a meeting with PRC and DOH “for next week.”
“So we can further investigate it.”
She noted that they are currently aware of the issue and “we make sure to address it.”
On Wednesday, Ejercito stated that whistleblowers would detail the alleged “pyramiding scheme” of pharmaceutical firm Bell-Kenz involving doctors at the Senate hearing scheduled for next week.
He expressed alarm over the alleged involvement of a pharmaceutical company enticing doctors with “luxurious” gifts or incentives to prescribe their products to patients.
Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, mentioned that two or three months ago, he was already aware of the said scheme and they conducted research on it.
Most of the medicines being prescribed, according to Ejercito, are for hypertension and diabetes.
“The only problem is that there seems to be a conflict of interest and breach of ethical standards because the complaint of the whistleblowers is that doctors are prescribing drugs… medicines that they themselves introduce, then they own the company.”
On the other hand, the DOH has already issued Department Circular No. 2024-0141 reminding all medical professionals to “uphold professional and ethical standards” following recent reports of pharmaceutical companies giving privileges using a “multi-level marketing scheme” to entice them to advertise/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 acceptable gifts, grants, or any emoluments from Biopharmaceutical companies or members of the industry, in exchange for any act benefiting such company or member of the industry is unethical,” read the Department Circular No. 2024-0141: Upholding Ethical Standards, Adhering to Medical City Principles for Business Ethics in the Biopharmaceutical Sector and Patients Rights and Reiteration of Administrative Order No. 2015-0053 “Implementing Guidelines on the Promotion And Marketing Of Prescription Pharmaceutical Products And Medical Devices,” signed by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
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