IN our farm here in Calumpang, cell phone and internet access may be thin, but we can still follow the news and public affairs and commentaries, so that we have remained updated on the current narratives in the nation’s lay of intellectual land.
One of the issues that caught our attention is the report that some physicians are accepting various kinds of gifts such as free junkets abroad to attend medical conferences from big biopharmaceutical companies the medical products of which are exclusively prescribed by these doctors.
The problem became the bone of contention in a Senate hearing, and triggered an incendiary debate between Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
Although I am no fan of Senator Tulfo, he is right in taking up the issue of physicians—government and private doctors—helping the pharmaceutical companies increase their revenues through a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The Department of Health (DOH) had to issue a statement later, warning doctors who have been proven to accept gifts from pharmaceutical companies in exchange for prescribing certain products may face suspension or revocation of their licenses.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the DOH is investigating allegations of the scheme and said that the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) can impose penalties upon erring members of the medical profession.
Health advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon earlier revealed that some doctors were allegedly prescribing medicine from certain pharmaceutical companies in exchange for luxury cars or expensive gifts.
“The DOH is investigating pero ayon sa ating batas, Philippine Medical Act of 1952, ang Board of Medicine under the Professional Regulation Commission, pwede niyang suspendihin o tanggalan ng lisensiya ang doktor depende sa mga violations sa code of ethics,” Domingo said in a radio interview.
The code of ethics that medical professionals in the Philippines subscribe to comes from the Philippine Medical Association.
The DOH official said the act of a doctor suspected to be accepting any gift in exchange for prescribing a particular product and only that product must be documented. Such a physician could face a complaint with the PRC, and if warranted, his license could be revoked.
Domingo said that concerned citizens may also go to the Field Regulatory Operations Office of the Food and Drug Administration to report this incident.
The DOH said in a circular last week that accepting gifts or the like from companies in exchange for actions that will benefit them is unethical.
“The Department of Health strictly reminds all doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and DOH personnel in all medical centers, hospitals, and medical facilities regulated by the DOH that the acceptance of gifts, grants, or emoluments from Biopharmaceutical companies or members of the industry, in exchange of any act benefiting such company or member of the industry is unethical,” the DOH said.
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