Remember the series of hearings in the Senate last April, 2024—conducted by the Committee on Health headed by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go—during which the company Bell-Kenz Pharma was grilled by senators for various alleged marketing and medical malpractices?
During the Senate hearings last year, the veracity of claims that certain physicians were prescribing the firm’s medicines and other products in exchange for financial incentives and perks – classic MLM-style tactics, was validated. At the time, the issue created noise but eventually fizzled, swept under the rug amid other national issues.
While the public and other officials conveniently forgot about this issue, a former lawmaker and genuine health advocate — Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, followed through this case, gathered various pieces of evidence and last July 17 filed a petition with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) against two doctors linked to the controversial alleged multi-level marketing (MLM) conducted by the Bell-Kenz Pharma.
According to Tañada, the Professional Regulation Commission has finally issued summons to the two doctors linked to the controversy.
He said the PRC’s Board of Medicine directed the two to submit their counter-affidavits or verified answers to Tañada’s charges within 10 days of their receipt of the notices.
Otherwise, they risk being declared in default, giving Erin the upper hand in the proceedings.
Tañada, who authored the country's first Universal Health Care (UHC) bill during his congressional stint, clearly isn't letting this one go.
His July 17 petition urged the PRC to investigate what he called an "unethical scheme" that compromises patient welfare, professional integrity, and public trust in the medical system. He has consistently argued that doctors profiting from prescriptions cross a red line: when health advice starts looking like a sales pitch, everyone loses – especially patients.
It may be recalled that in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), he boldly pledged to strengthen healthcare access and affordability.
If regulators allow MLM-style pharma practices to thrive inside hospitals—among them being Philippine Heart Center, as flagged in Tañada's complaint—doesn't that undercut the administration's promise of clean, patient-first healthcare?
If the PRC upholds the complaint, it may push lawmakers to finally pass a Philippine version of the US Stark Law, which bars physician self-referrals involving financial interests.
Pharma companies could face stricter scrutiny, and more doctors might find themselves answering awkward questions about their side hustles.
I agree with Erin Tañada that the PRC Board of Medicine and other government agencies should widen the probe of this problem in the health sector, in the wake of his accusation that over 4,000 doctors are also tainted by this scandal, which may well include other pharmaceutical companies doing similar business models.
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