DOH holds joint meeting with other agencies to handle MLM issue
Department of Health. INQUIRER FILES
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has conducted a coordination meeting with the officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on May 2, following the Senate hearing on the alleged multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme involving Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc. and some doctors.
During the coordination meeting, Herbosa was joined by FDA Director-General Samuel A. Zacate, and the PRC Board of Medicine led by Chair Zenaida Antonio. Also in attendance as resource organizations were the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) through its Commission on Ethics, and the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA).
“Regarding naman doon sa coordination meeting, so we identified lang talaga muna the respective agencies na magha-handle ng investigation. At siyempre, initially we had to look further muna kung ano ang possible sanction,” said FDA spokesperson Atty. Pamela Sevilla.
Sevilla said that even before the matter was subject of the Senate investigation [on Alril 30] and came out to the media, they were able to “identify which agencies or departments should be responsible in all possible violations” of those involved.
“Without conclusion pa hindi kami pwedeng magpin-point on what violations ang nagawa nila, considering na it is a multi-level marketing… medyo maraming matatamaan,” Sevilla added.
As of now, she said, they are encouraging the public to divulge if they have any information about the multi-level marketing scheme and report it to the FDA.
“Not only Bell-Kenz but other similar case. But pertaining to the Bell-Kenz case muna ang magiging reporting namin kasi ‘yun ang highlight ng investigation,” she stressed.
She noted that they cannot disclose to the media yet any confidential information for they have to make sure, “If ever na ilalabas namin sa media we have to make sure na concurrence din ng other legal teams ng bawat department.”
In a press release of the DOH on Friday, it stated that the Department, through the FDA and the DOH Public Health Ethics Committee (PHEC), as well as the PRC agreed to form a Joint Committee for Investigation (JCI), to which they will also invite the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“It involves the SEC for it is a multi-level marketing…,” Sevilla explained.
The DOH said that the JCI will help reduce redundancy and expedite due process requirements regarding the many allegations aired at the Senate hearing, ensuring that the integrity of the medical profession is protected while holding accountable those found to have violated pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.
The JCI will also be seeking inputs and comments from professional bodies like the PMA and the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA).
Legal advisers of the JCI are also looking into possible mechanisms to protect whistleblowers so that they may provide actionable information and evidence.
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