EJERCITO: GOV’T DOCTORS MAY BE PART OF PYRAMIDING SCAM WITH A DRUG FIRM

MANILA,  Philippines — Even government doctors might have been involved in an alleged “multi-level marketing networking” of expensive medicines with a local pharmaceutical company, Senator JV Ejercito said on Monday.

Ejercito earlier identified the company as Bell-Kenz Pharma Inc., which is said to be giving huge commissions to doctors prescribing the firm’s more expensive medicines  to patients.

Asked in an interview in the Senate if there were government doctors involved in the alleged scheme, the senator said: “Mayroong iba — yata — nasa listahan.”

(There seem to be some in the list.)

This possible involvement of government doctors, he said, is alarming considering that the Universal Healthcare law, which he authored, was supposed to bring down the prices of medicines.

“Of course (it’s alarming) kasi ang nangyari, parang nag-engage sila into multi-level marketing networking. Pero this time, it’s medicines. Yun ang mahirap,” Ejercito said.

(Of course (it’s alarming) because what happened here is that they seemed to have engaged in multi-level marketing networking. But this time, it’s medicines. That’s what’s difficult.)

“Talagang may conflict especially kung mayrong mga government doctors involved, kasi ang target natin for government, especially mga pasyente – lower down the cost of out of pocket nila. These are extra expenses. So, yan ang gusto nating matunton bukas,” he said.

(There’s indeed a conflict especially if there are government doctors involved, because our target for the government, especially for patients, is to lower their out-of-pocket costs. These are extra expenses, so that’s what we aim to address tomorrow.)

The controversy will be looked into by the Senate committee on health on Tuesday.

According to Ejercito, up to three “whistleblowers” or resource persons, including a patient, would face the probe.

The senator clarified that the investigation was not meant to “antagonize” the medical profession but to allow all parties to be heard and shed light on the issue.

Bell-Kenz already denied over the weekend what it described as “misinformed and unfounded allegations” leveled against the company.

“Since our inception, Bell-Kenz has been steadfast in our pledge to serve all Filipinos,” it said in a statement to Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“Upholding the ethical standards of the local healthcare industry is paramount to us and we wholeheartedly endorse endeavors aimed at upholding the sanctity of the medical health-care system,” the drug firm added.

NOTE:  AI Generated Content, used for English translation

2024-04-29T08:59:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd